Vietnam battles power cuts amid drought, extreme heat

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, June 9 (EFE).- Vietnam is facing a power crisis due to a prolonged drought and extreme heat.

The drought has caused water levels in hydroelectric dams to drop, reducing power generation. The heat has also increased the electricity demand, further straining the grid.

Power outages have become common in northern Vietnam. The industry ministry said the north generated 4 gigawatts less than its energy needs.

The local press has reported several incidents linked to the lack of electricity, including a Hanoi neighborhood without power for more than 10 hours.

Several companies in the north have complained that the repeated power outages are affecting their production capacity.

The government has reduced public lighting hours and imposed other measures, like rolling blackouts, to conserve energy.

Experts have warned for years of the risk of an energy crisis in Vietnam.

The country’s demand for electricity has outpaced the growth of generation capacity.

Last month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved a 2030 plan to ensure energy security while boosting the transition to renewable sources and reducing heavy reliance on coal. EFE

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