According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), 2026 dry season is expected to arrive earlier, last longer, and be more intense than in 2025 as well as the multi-year average. In response, Dak Lak Electricity Company (PCDAKLAK) has proactively devised multiple plans to ensure a safe, stable power supply, meeting residents’ needs while supporting production alongside business activities.

Multiple scenarios for power grid operations

Identifying power supply assurance as a central, long-term task, PCDAKLAK began as early as late 2025 to proactively implement synchronised operational plans tailored for each load phase and locality, ensuring safeas well as flexible system operation. The company has also prepared response scenarios for extreme situations, including supply-demand imbalances alongside major incidents across power network.

Dak Lak Electricity Company proactively developing multiple power grid operation scenarios to ensure safe and stable electricity supply during dry season.

On that basis, PCDAKLAK compiled a list of critical electricity users for submission to PPC for approval, prioritising supply for essential sectors such as healthcare, national defence-security, and key production activities, etc.

Simultaneously, grid operation along with management has been further strengthened. Power sector has intensified inspection and routine maintenance, promptly addressing potential risks that could lead to incidents, while effectively applying live-line (hotline) maintenance technology, allowing work on power lines without service interruption. PCDAKLAK has currently maintained a hotline team capable of deploying five work crews concurrently on medium-voltage network, contributing to improved reliability of power supply.

Alongside operational measures, PCDAKLAK has placed strong emphasis on investment and upgrades in power grid infrastructure to meet steadily rising demand. In 2025, the company invested approximately 515 billion VND in system upgrades, including hundreds of kilometres of medium- and low-voltage lines, construction of numerous transformer stations as well as installation of sectionalising equipment together with capacitor banks.

In 2026, the company plans to allocate around 444 billion VND for new investment projects along with further grid upgrades across province.

Raising awareness of electricity conservation

To prevent overload during peak heat periods while ensuring safe electricity supply, PCDAKLAK has in recent years signed load-shifting agreements with 132 major customers, enabling about 14.86 MW to move out of peak hours. It has also concluded demand response (DR) agreements with 181 large consumers, securing a committed reduction of roughly 20.64 MW in case of power shortages.

Workers inspecting and maintaining power grid during peak heat period.

In addition, PCDAKLAK has launched a province-wide electricity-saving programme, attracting more than 44,600 participants, with pledged savings of approximately 31 million kWh in 2026. Earth Hour 2026 campaign is also being widely promoted to raise awareness among residents as well as businesses regarding efficient, economical energy use.

Mr. Ha Van Chuong, Deputy Director of PCDAKLAK, said that following merger, climate alongside weather patterns between eastern and western parts of province have shown clear "out-of-phase" differences. This has created challenges in planning operational modes and managing system operations due to differing load cycles and characteristics across both areas. To address this, PCDAKLAK has arranged parallel operation of two control centres in each region, ensuring safe system operation under all circumstances, especially during natural disasters or widespread outages.

Translated by HAI LOAN