Can Tho, India discuss joint work in effective energy use

Can Tho (VNA) – Senior advisor to India’s Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) company Satish C. Mehta expressed the company’s willingness to assist the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho in the effective use of energy during a local working session with the municipal authorities on May 4.

Huynh Van Tru, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said the total power capacity and consumption in the city reaches 370MW and nearly 1.5 billion kWh, the highest in the Mekong Delta.

The city’s power consumption demand is forecast to increase 13 percent this year and at least 10 percent annually in the coming years, thus requiring the total power generation capacity of 740MW by 2025 and 1,100MW by 2030, he said, adding that the adoption of energy-saving measures is the most feasible in such context.

Mehta, who is former Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, expressed wish to share EESL’s experience with Can Tho in carrying out large-scale energy-saving projects, especially those regarding urban and household lighting, the use of energy-saving devices in agriculture and solar power.

Established in 2009, EESL is a joint-venture under the Indian Ministry of Power comprising four State-owned energy firms. With a yearly operating expense of 32 billion USD sourced from the Indian government and sponsors, EESL has distributed 177 million LED bulbs over the past two years, saving more than 62 million electricity units each day and reducing 50,810 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission, he said.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam said Can Tho is interested in developing clean and renewable energy such as solar, wind and geothermal power.

He asked the municipal departments of Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, and the city’s power corporation to continue discussing a long-term cooperation programme with EESL and raise public awareness of energy saving.-VNA