An efficient power-saving programme helped to reduce the number of power cuts during the dry season in HCM City last year.

The city saved more than 391 million kWh of electricity in 2011, cutting the total usage of power by 2.56 percent in the city.

The achievement surpassed the target assigned by the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) previously, according to a report from the HCM City Power Corporation.

Of that amount, State agencies and offices saved 37 million kWh of power; the public lighting sector, more than 61 million kWh; the industrial sector, more than 81 million kWh; and the service sector and household, more than 221 million kWh.

According to the corporation, the programme helped the city save more than VND553 billion last year. It also helped to cut an estimated 168,260 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The recent city-wide campaign to encourage power savings in households was a major contribution to the results for 2011.

According to the corporation, power consumption in households contribute up to 40 percent of the total electricity usage in the city, equivalent to 20 million kWh of power a day.

Last year, the total amount of generated electricity was around 106.33 billion kWh nationwide.

The entire country saved 1.3 billion kWh of power, or 1.4 percent of the total consumed power.

HCM City achieved a better rate, more than 2.5 percent, according to EVN.

The Government has proposed that EVN devise a strategy to save 5-8 percent of total consumed power nationwide between 2011 and 2015./.