3.2 Million Electricity Customers See 30% Surge in August Usage

Heatwave Drives Record Consumption

The sharp increase was largely attributed to an intense heatwave, particularly in the northern region during the first half of August. On August 4, electricity consumption in the North hit an all-time high. EVN emphasized that extreme weather conditions forced households to rely heavily on cooling devices, pushing consumption beyond usual levels.

Rising Complaints Over Bills

The spike in usage led to widespread complaints about soaring electricity bills. EVN reported that its customer service centers and social media monitoring recorded over 500 complaints in August regarding unexpected increases.

However, EVN’s initial review found no technical errors in billing. The company noted that many viral posts and social media discussions lacked verifiable details or contained exaggerated, misleading claims designed to attract attention or boost online sales.

Complications from Non-EVN Resellers

A significant share of complaints came from customers who do not purchase electricity directly from EVN, but through 521 intermediary organizations that buy wholesale and resell to households. Of these, 481 operate in northern Vietnam.

Unlike EVN’s modernized system that uses remote-reading electronic meters, many of these intermediaries still rely on mechanical meters and manual data entry, making billing more prone to human error.

EVN Pushes for Accuracy and Transparency

EVN highlighted that most of its direct customers now use electronic meters with remote data collection, reducing the risk of manual mistakes and ensuring transparent billing. The group pledged to continue checking disputed cases and improving oversight to maintain consumer trust, especially during periods of unusually high demand.