Ho Chi Minh City residents face record high electricity bills amid intense heatwave
Residents of Ho Chi Minh City and other southern provinces are bracing for a surge in their electricity bills as the hot season approaches its peak.
Recent statistics indicated a sharp increase in electricity consumption, signaling that consumers will face much higher costs than the average monthly bills.
The electricity bills for March 2025 were already up by 20-40 percent compared to the previous month.
Some households have reported their March bills were 1.5 times higher than those in February, with charges even surpassing those recorded in March last year.
Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces are just entering the hot weather, and forecasts predict several waves of high temperatures in the weeks ahead.
A representative of Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC) told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that average daily electricity consumption in February increased nearly 11 percent year on year.
The daily average for March jumped 16 percent compared to February, with electricity consumption at households up 19.8 percent month on month.
The higher average temperatures in March led to increased use of air conditioners, causing electricity consumption to surge, said the representative.
However, the real peak is expected in April, with daily consumption predicted to surpass 100 million kWh per day, up 35 percent from February and 16 percent from March.
This would make April the highest consumption month so far in 2025, according to EVNHCMC.
Besides, with two public holidays, including the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the upcoming Reunification Day (April 30), and extended periods of high heat, EVNHCMC anticipates that April 28 will see the highest household electricity consumption of the year.
Experts warn that such sharp increases in electricity usage and high bills reported during the summer heat are a recurring trend in Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam.
The southern region experiences the first wave of heat, while the central and northern regions will follow suit.
However, this year’s bills are expected to be higher than usual, even with the same level of usage.
The main reason for this climb is the new retail electricity pricing scheme implemented by state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) late last year.
The new rates, which represent a 4.8-percent price hike, will push electricity costs above last year’s levels.
Additionally, EVN has introduced a tiered billing system with six pricing levels, ranging from VND1,893 (US$0.07) per kWh to VND3,302 ($0.12) per kWh.
This means that households with higher electricity usage will pay significantly more as their consumption enters the higher pricing brackets.
For instance, during the hot season this year, households consuming 300-400 kWh per month will see their bills rise by approximately VND47,000 ($1.8), exclusive of VAT, while those using over 400 kWh per month will face a surge of about VND62,000 ($2.4) per month compared to last year.
This price hike will hit families hard, especially those who maintain or increase their electricity consumption relative to last year’s hot season.
EVNHCMC predicted that May would be the hottest month of the year, with electricity demand peaking.
The highest consumption is expected at the end of April and in May.
Impact of heat on electricity use
Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation explained that environmental temperatures have a significant impact on electricity demand, especially during heatwaves.
As temperatures climb, the use of cooling devices such as air conditioners, fans, and refrigerators skyrockets, driving up electricity consumption.
For households, air conditioners can account for up to 50 percent of total electricity usage during the hot season, especially when temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius.
In addition, refrigerators and other household appliances work harder to maintain efficiency, resulting in a 20-30 percent increase in electricity consumption compared to cooler months.
By Tieu Bac & Ngoc Hien – Tuoi Tre News – April 8, 2025