Nearly 6 percent of energy consumption saved in five years

Vietnam’s volume of energy savings was equivalent to nearly 6 percent of the total energy consumption between 2011 and 2015 (Source :VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s volume of energy savings was equivalent to nearly 6 percent of the total energy consumption between 2011 and 2015, Chairman of the Vietnam Association and Technology in Energy Saving and Efficiency Do Huu Hao said at a conference in Hanoi on November 18.

The saved energy volume was about nearly 12 million tonnes of oil equivalent, he said, adding that the country could save up to 15-20 percent of energy consumption in the future.

The head of the Department of Science and Technology and Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s General Directorate of Energy, Trinh Quoc Vu, said 585 energy-saving projects have been carried out while over 10,000 energy-saving target products were labeled.

More than 700,000 solar water heating systems have been installed nationwide, Around 1 billion kWh of electricity is saved each year, equivalent to 1.6 trillion VND (72 million USD).

Experts cited lack of technological experts and investment capital as major difficulties to build database and promulgate standards and regulations on energy usage in sectors.

Additionally, the mechanism to support businesses to improve technological lines with higher efficiency is limited.

To address the matters, it is necessary to promote energy-saving labeling on products and encourage businesses to implement energy-saving solutions.

Improving the database system on energy consumption and enhancing collection, settlement, and operation capacity are essential to that end.

Vu said the Department of Science and Technology and Energy Efficiency is implementing a Denmark-funded project on low-carbon conversion in energy-saving field.

The project aims to support small and medium sized enterprises to pilot energy saving in brick, pottery and food processing sectors, he added.-VNA