Prizes for the power saving campaign, thousands of promotion
leaflets, switching off 50% of public lights, etc are what HCMC is
implementing to save at least 10% of power consumption.
According to the statistics of HCM City Power Company, in
four days, the city consumed from 48 million to 50 million KWh per day. On
12th May, the electricity consumption even reached the record level of more
than 50 million KWh.
"In May, under Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN)
distribution plan,
At the meeting on electricity supply in dry season this
morning, HCMC Power said that excessive power consumption in HCM is causing
overload.
"We have not yet applied rotated power cut, but if
there are no economical solutions to reduce at least 10% of consumption, it is
very difficult to maintain stable electricity supply," said Mr.
Tuan.
Overload led to numerous incidents when the low voltage circuit breakers automatically
disconnect, many areas have power outage. Specifically, some areas of the
District 2, 9, Thu Duc, etc have suffered power cut due to electrical
overload problem.
"When there is a power cut in the mid-noon, the streets are in chaos. We
don’t know how long it will last. This could drive people crazy." said Vy,
in Binh Thoi, Lac Long Quan Street, Ward 3 District 11. This area had a power
outage from 11:30 pm until late afternoon.
The city therefore was forced to come up with an emergency energy saving
plan. HCM City People's Committee has recently issued a target to slice at
least 10% of power usage. Department of Transportation has to cut 50% of
public lighting in the city roads and parks. Advertising companies,
service establishments should minimize the use of intensive advertising
lights. Billboards around the city are required to turn off lights after
22pm.
"The city’s Power Company will distribute 600,000 leaflets. Especially
prizes for energy saving program are applied. Households which save more than
6% of power consumption in May and June compared to the same period last year
will receive gifts worth 200,000 VND. Total prize is VND600 million" said
Mr. Huynh Tri Dung, Head of Business Division, HCM City Power.
Currently,
there is no
punishment legislation for the wasted energy in
HCMC Power Company also concedes that the electricity consumption
forecast of
regional electricity sectors has not been taken well; therefore, the
low
voltage circuit breaker shuts down when overloaded and causing power
outage.
HCM City Power asserted that the power outage for side trees defoliation and grid maintenance are only carried out up to 5 hours a day and once a week. Regional electricity sector must not violate this