MoIT reviews 2026 national power system operation plan

The meeting gathered representatives from MoIT units including the Electricity Regulatory Authority, the Department of Industrial Safety and Environment, the Oil and Gas and Coal Department, the National Load Dispatch Center, as well as EVN, Petrovietnam, Vinacomin and other energy corporations.

To enable units to proactively develop detailed plans ensuring power supply for socio-economic development and public demand in 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 3477/QĐ-BCT on November 28 approving the 2026 National Power System Operation Plan (Electricity Supply and System Operation Plan).

Based on projected GDP growth of 10% or higher in 2026, actual load growth in 2025, as well as forecasts on hydrology, fuel supply, power generation progress, and grid infrastructure, MoIT approved the plan with baseline, operational, and contingency scenarios for peak dry-season months. These scenarios aim to ensure flexibility in power operation under increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.

Coal-fired power, hydropower and gas turbines will continue to play key roles in ensuring electricity supply. Renewable energy sources will be dispatched according to their generation capability and technical constraints of the power system. According to approved scenarios, electricity supply for economic growth and residential demand in 2026 will generally be secured.

However, MoIT assesses that 2026 may continue to see unpredictable risks, including delays of major power plants, unfavorable hydrology, declining gas supply from existing fields, delays in new gas sources, increased demand for imported coal, and overlapping outages at power plants.

Key tasks assigned under Decision 3477/QĐ-BCT

First, the National Power System and Electricity Market Operator must conduct monthly reviews and updates, reporting to MoIT and publishing the operation plan for the upcoming month and remaining months of 2026. This includes primary fuel needs, weather and hydrology conditions, reservoir operation procedures, contractual obligations, and import-export power arrangements.

Second, EVN, Petrovietnam, Vinacomin and related units must ensure adequate coal, gas and oil supply; maintain high availability of generating units; and accelerate investment in transmission projects, especially key northern projects such as: 500 kV Nho Quan - Phu Ly - Thuong Tin line; Capacity expansion of 500 kV Hoa Binh and Pho Noi substations; 500 kV Thai Binh and Bac Ninh substations.

Third, the Vietnam National Energy Corporation and PV Gas must implement synchronous measures to prioritize gas supply for power generation.

Fourth, Vinacomin and Army Corps 19 must plan coal production and supply to fully and continuously meet the needs of coal-fired plants under existing contracts.

Fifth, all power generation, transmission and distribution units must ensure proper maintenance to maximize readiness and avoid incidents due to subjective causes.

Sixth, power units must intensify public communication on electricity saving and efficient use, especially during peak hours, to help ease system pressure during hot seasons.

Seventh, units must continue effective implementation of demand response (DR) programs, promote rooftop solar, particularly self-consumption systems and prepare load adjustment measures, including customer diesel mobilization when necessary.

Eighth, MoIT’s functional departments must strengthen state management, regularly inspect project progress and propose timely solutions to ensure schedule compliance.

Ninth, provincial Departments of Industry and Trade must coordinate with power units on electricity-saving programs and monitor electricity supply and customer complaints.

Tenth, enterprises and consumers must actively apply electricity-saving and efficient-use measures across production, business and daily activities, especially during peak hours.