The first four months of 2026 have witnessed significant fluctuations in both the global and Vietnamese energy sectors. From geopolitical shocks in the Middle East and surging oil prices to record domestic electricity consumption, the market is entering a transitional phase with heightened demands for system stability, operational efficiency, and sustainable energy.
International Market: Unstable energy prices, rising electricity Needs
According to the International Energy Agency’s Electricity 2026 report, global electricity demand from 2026 – 2030 is expected to grow by an average of 3.6% each year. The main reasons include the growth of AI, data centers, electric vehicles, and more air conditioning use in developing countries.
At the same time, tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran since late February 2026 have caused major ups and downs in global energy markets. According to the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (May 2026), problems with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz (a sea route that handles about 20% of the world’s oil) pushed Brent crude oil prices to a high of 138USD per barrel in early April.
According to the World Bank, global energy prices in 2026 could go up by about 24%, creating higher costs and inflation in many countries. Because of this, investments in renewable energy, battery storage systems (BESS), and smart grids are becoming top priorities in major markets.
Vietnam: Record electricity consumption, infrastructure pressure increasingly evident
In Vietnam, electricity demand has surged rapidly since the beginning of the hot season. According to reports from Vietnamnet and EVN, on April 15, 2026, the national power system recorded a peak consumption capacity of 52,225 MW with output exceeding 1.09 billion kWh per day.
Electricity use is rising fast while power generation still relies heavily on coal. According to reports from Vietnamnet and Virtus Prosperity (May 2026), coal power plants currently produce nearly 59% of Vietnam’s electricity. Although renewable energy has large capacity, it’s hard to connect to the system because of limited transmission lines and storage facilities.
Another important trend is the rapid growth of data centers and digital infrastructure. According to the International Energy Agency, global investment in AI and data centers reached about 320 billion USD in 2025, creating huge demand for electricity, cooling systems, and reliable operations. In Vietnam, this is becoming a new growth area for the power, HVACR, and energy industries.
Besides market demand, new policies like Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPA), offshore wind development, and battery storage investments are creating opportunities for businesses from 2026 – 2030.
Market Outlook: Energy Demand Keeps Growing, Pushing Investment in Infrastructure and Operating Solutions
According to reports from the International Energy Agency, World Bank, and local market data, global energy demand will keep growing strongly in the coming years, especially in developing economies like Vietnam. The main drivers include more use of electricity, expanding data centers, high-tech manufacturing, and greater cooling needs due to extreme weather.
In the short term, summer 2026 will put extra pressure on the power system as temperatures in many areas may go above 39°C because of El Niño, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and Vietnam.vn (April 2026). Long heat waves could increase electricity demand by 800 – 1,000 MW each day, mainly from air conditioners and cooling systems.
Along with rising electricity use, changing global oil and LNG prices are also pushing the market to look for more stable and efficient energy solutions. According to the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (May 2026), Brent crude oil prices hit 138USD per barrel in April due to tensions at the Strait of Hormuz, while the World Bank predicts global energy prices in 2026 could rise by about 24%.
This situation is expected to keep driving investment in solutions such as:
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and backup batteries
- Solar power, wind power, and LNG
- UPS systems, inverters, and backup power sources
- Energy Management Systems (EMS), automation, and smart grids
- Monitoring, control, and efficiency improvement technologies
- Charging infrastructure and electric vehicle (EV) solutions
- Electrical equipment, switchgear, power cables, and safety solutions
According to PDP8 and analyses from Virtus Prosperity (May 2026), Vietnam plans to develop 10,000 – 16,300 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) by 2030 to help connect renewable energy and reduce pressure on the national grid.
In the long term, the energy market is expected to shift from “building more capacity” to “running systems better and keeping them stable.” This creates big opportunities for businesses offering technology solutions, energy storage, load management, and smart power infrastructure.
Vietnam Energy Week – How to take advantage of opportunities during the Energy transition?
From the changes in the first four months of 2026, it’s clear that the power and energy sector is entering a clearer transition phase, not just focused on meeting growing demand, but also on achieving stable, efficient, and sustainable long-term operations. This means higher expectations for industry businesses: not just providing equipment or power, but offering solutions that improve efficiency, make systems more flexible, and better handle changes in global energy markets.
Vietnam Energy Week 2026 provides the platform to directly tackle these challenges, with 10,000m² of space, 400+ exhibiting companies, and 16+ countries/territories participating.
Joining the exhibition helps businesses:
- Connect with partners across the entire value chain
- Understand trends and gain competitive advantages
- Expand international partnerships
- Improve investment strategies in a changing market
Reference: International Energy Agency, U.S. Energy Information Administration, World Bank, Investing News Network (INN), Vietnam.vn, Vietnamnet, Virtus Prosperity, SolarQuarter, Vietnam Plus,
