Prolonged heatwaves have triggered a sharp increase in electricity demand across Gia Lai Province in recent days. To ensure a safe and stable power supply for production and daily life, Gia Lai Power Company has implemented a range of proactive measures.
Reporters from Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television spoke with Mr. Thái Minh Châu, Director of Gia Lai Power Company, about the company's response.
* In the context of electricity demand in the province increasing by more than 20% due to prolonged heatwaves, what proactive measures has Gia Lai Power Company taken to ensure a safe and stable electricity supply for residents and businesses?
Mr. Thái Minh Châu - Director of Gia Lai Power Company. Photo: Provided by the subject
- From the beginning of the dry season, we developed operational plans for different electricity consumption scenarios and proactively identified potential overload points so that timely solutions could be implemented.
The company identified more than 80 transformer stations at risk of overloading during the irrigation season and took measures to increase capacity and redistribute electricity consumption where necessary.
In April 2026 alone, the company invested more than VND12 billion (approximately US$460,000) in the repair and maintenance of more than 50 transformers and the rehabilitation of over 30 kilometres of medium- and low-voltage power lines. At the same time, we coordinated the upgrade of transformer T1 at the 110 kV Phù Cát Substation, increasing its capacity from 25 MVA to 63 MVA to meet rising electricity demand.
We have also accelerated the adoption of technologies including the SCADA remote control system, hotline maintenance services, and power-grid inspections using flycams and thermal imaging cameras. These technologies help detect potential safety risks early and enable rapid intervention at overloaded or vulnerable locations.
As a result, the province’s power system has continued to operate safely and stably, meeting the electricity needs of households and businesses.
Phú Tài Power staff inspect the electrical system at a manufacturing enterprise in Phú Tài Industrial Park (Quy Nhơn Bắc Ward). Photo: Hải Yến
* In line with the theme “Energy Saving, Prosperous Future,” what measures has Gia Lai Power Company implemented to promote electricity conservation within its own operations?
- We believe that if we expect customers to use electricity efficiently, the power sector must first demonstrate that commitment itself.
The company has instructed all subsidiaries to implement electricity-saving measures across business operations, investment projects and power-grid management activities. This includes the efficient use of electricity, materials, fuel, office supplies and other allocated resources.
At the same time, we encourage units to develop innovations and apply science and technology to reduce power losses, optimise operating costs and improve labour productivity. Solutions such as remote control systems, flycams and thermal imaging cameras not only enhance supply reliability but also help reduce manpower requirements, save time and lower operating costs.
Through activities held in response to the 2026 National Day of Thrift and Anti-Waste, we hope to foster a culture of energy efficiency among employees and extend that awareness to their families, communities and customers.
Power company staff operate a flycam to inspect and manage power lines. Photo: Provided by the unit
* What message would you like to send to households, production facilities and businesses in the province to encourage economical and efficient electricity use?
- Electricity demand is expected to continue growing alongside socio-economic development, urbanisation and the expansion of industrial production. Therefore, saving electricity is not only a way to reduce costs but also an important contribution to energy security and sustainable development.
I encourage every household, production facility and business to strengthen awareness of efficient electricity use. Households should consider setting air conditioners at 26–27°C, using fans in combination with air conditioning, maximising natural light and ventilation, prioritising energy-efficient appliances and avoiding the simultaneous use of multiple high-power devices during peak hours.
Businesses should actively participate in the demand response (DR) programme, arrange production schedules more efficiently and, where possible, shift part of their operations to off-peak periods.
If each customer reduces a portion of electricity consumption during peak hours, pressure on the power system can be significantly eased, helping ensure a stable electricity supply to support the province’s socio-economic development.
In the years following national reunification, thousands of people from northern and central Vietnam left their hometowns for the Central Highlands under the Party and State’s new economic zone policy, transforming remote and populated land into thriving residential and agricultural communities.
The Provincial Youth Union, the Vietnam Youth Federation of Gia Lai Province and the Vietnam Student Association of Gia Lai on May 24 launched the 2026 Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign in Quy Nhon Ward, in response to the Month of Action for Children and World Environment Day 2026.
Ms Dang Thi Thuy, head of the Young Pioneer Organization at Chu Van An Primary School in Pleiku Ward, has been awarded the 2026 “Pink Swallow” Award by the Central Council of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization in recognition of her contributions to children’s education and youth activities.
Local conservation groups in Quy Nhon are calling for stronger protection measures after two rare sea turtles were spotted near the coast of Nhơn Lý between May 6 and May 9, according to community representatives.
A Cambodian patient receiving treatment for a life-threatening abdominal condition at Hoang Anh Gia Lai University Medical Center has shown significant signs of recovery after hospital staff and benefactors donated more than VND 26 million ($1,000) to support his medical expenses.
A series of youth-led initiatives across Gia Lai Province are helping children develop leadership skills, creativity and compassion through practical educational and community activities held to mark the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization.
Authorities in East Tuy Phuoc Commune have launched an intensive campaign to protect the wetland ecosystem of the Con Chim ecological area and safeguard a recently observed flock of Asian Openbill storks, local officials said on May 15.
For many young people in Gia Lai Province, cutting their long hair is more than a personal change in appearance, it is a gesture of solidarity with cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Trade unions across Gia Lai province have launched a broad range of grassroots-focused initiatives during Workers’ Month 2026, aiming to improve the welfare, health and legal protection of workers and union members.
Two childhood friends from Vietnam’s Central Highlands have achieved major academic milestones together, earning recognition for both national academic excellence and outstanding international test results.
FLC Quy Nhon Beach & Golf Resort has launched Green Day 2026, a recurring environmental programme designed to integrate sustainability into its core operations, reflecting a broader shift in the tourism sector towards long-term, systematic development.
A community initiative in Chư Sê commune, Gia Lai province, is equipping local youth with essential water safety and drowning prevention skills, aiming to reduce risks during the high-risk summer season.
Lê Phương Nghi, winner of the FTUCharm 2025 beauty pageant, on April 29 launched an environmental initiative aimed at children in Gia Lai, combining recycling activities with community support efforts.
Two high school students from Gia Lai Province have secured second prize at the National Science and Engineering Fair 2025-2026 after developing a smoke-resistant mask made from sugarcane bagasse, a widely available agricultural by-product.
Efforts to build a sustainable reading culture in schools continue to face challenges, despite expanded access to books and improved library systems. While infrastructure has advanced, students’ voluntary reading habits remain limited, highlighting a gap between availability and engagement.
Educational institutions in Gia Lai are intensifying efforts to build safer and more supportive school environments by prioritizing life skills education and actively listening to students’ concerns.
Authorities in Gia Lai have intensified inspections and tightened controls on passenger transport services as tourism demand surges, aiming to ensure traffic safety, stabilize fares, and improve service quality.
Pleiku Library has significantly expanded its efforts to cultivate a reading culture among students in western Gia Lai, reaching tens of thousands of young readers through school programmes, mobile libraries and digital platforms.
Quoc Hoc Quy Nhon High School in Gia Lai province held a STEM Day on April 18, drawing strong student participation and showcasing hands-on science and technology projects aimed at fostering innovation and career orientation.
Youth Union organizations in Gia Lai Province have rolled out a comprehensive digital transformation programme from provincial to grassroots levels since early 2026, establishing a wide network of community-based initiatives to support residents and improve digital access.
Students at Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted have secured places among the top 1% of SAT test-takers worldwide in the 2026 examination, with several achieving near-perfect scores, underscoring both academic rigor and disciplined preparation strategies.
A high school student from Vietnam’s Central Highlands has won a gold medal in Physics at the 30th Traditional April 30th Olympic Competition, marking a remarkable rise from a childhood shaped by poverty and hardship.
Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted held its first-ever “Hung Vuong Robotic Competition” on April 12, 2026, bringing together 10 student teams from grades 10 and 11 in a showcase of technical skill, creativity and teamwork.
FPT University’s Quy Nhon campus on April 12 hosted its 2026 job fair, bringing together more than 30 businesses to connect students with employers and expand career opportunities in the digital economy.
