Businesses strive to beat the summer heat

As electricity demand surges ahead of the summer peak, conservation is no longer optional but imperative, with rooftop solar emerging as one of the most effective solutions to curb power consumption and ease pressure on the grid.

- By Nguyen Huong

In Thai Nguyen province, where industrial load accounts for around 75 per cent of total electricity consumption, businesses have proactively implemented a range of energy-saving measures.

At Song Cong Diesel, deputy director Pham Ngoc Son said the company consumes nearly three million kWh of electricity annually. To ease pressure on the grid, high-energy processes are scheduled during off-peak hours, with heat treatment furnaces operated at night. “The company is also developing a rooftop solar project with a capacity of nearly 2MWp, expected to come into operation by mid-2026,” he said.

At Thai Nguyen Electrolytic Zinc Plant, director Nguyen Van Dat noted that the facility has upgraded its system to improve electrolysis efficiency while limiting casting furnace operations during peak hours. The plant currently consumes around five million kWh per month. “We have also invested in backup power systems and are deploying solar power for the office area,” he said.

Meanwhile, at Hai Ha Industrial Park (IP) in Quang Ninh province, rooftop solar power is actively deployed during peak hours to partially meet enterprises’ production needs. As solar generation cannot fully cover demand, the remaining load is supplemented by the national grid.

The rooftop solar system, installed in 2025, has begun to deliver tangible benefits and is expected to play a particularly important role during the upcoming summer peak season, when electricity demand typically surges. This hybrid approach not only helps ease pressure on the grid during high-load periods but also allows businesses in the park to better manage energy costs and improve operational resilience.