Vietnam looks to renewable energy

Reducing the use of scarce natural resources through measurement of energy efficiency is critically needed to meet the energy demand of a growing economy like Vietnam
Vietnam looks to renewable energy ảnh 1Wind turbines at the Tuy Phong Wind Power Plant in Binh Thuan province (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) - Reducing the use of scarce natural resources through measurement of energy efficiency is critically needed to meet the energy demand of a growing economy like Vietnam, Vu Van Khiem, Director General of the Ministry of Science and Technology's National Office of the Southern Region, has said.

Speaking at a recent three-day training conference on sustainable energy technology in Ho Chi Minh City, Khiem said that Vietnam was facing an energy shortage within the next few decades.

Economic growth and rapid industrial expansion based on low energy costs have consumed significant amounts of energy and other resources, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and exhausting natural resources.

In the future, Vietnam will shift from an exporter to an importer of energy and the level of dependence on imported energy would increase, he added.

State agencies in Vietnam such as the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Trade and other agencies have worked with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on labeling energy and building energy efficiency standards for appliances and replacing the use of fossil fuels.

As a result, there have been positive results in management and energy savings, he said.

In recent decades, with the present rate of consumption of traditional energy resources, energy reserves are expected to be depleted rapidly, Khiem said.

According to forecasts, by 2035 the level of global energy consumption will increase by 53 percent. Enterprises around the world are constantly conducting research to seek new and renewable energy sources, he said.

The traditional burning of fossil fuels has caused adverse environmental impact such as the greenhouse effect, rising radioactivity and global warming, he added.

Also speaking at the conference, Cho Chang-hee, principal researcher of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, said that in Korea, island microgrids were being used to meet demand.

Microgrids that have helped meet increased demand for green energy globally are especially suitable for remote villages, he said. They have helped improve electricity penetration ratio and reduced petroleum use.

"Fewer CO2 emissions are the result," he said. "It also decreases transmission losses."

A microgrid is a system of multiple power sources of different sizes and technologies connected to the central grid. The system can disconnect and function autonomously as physical and economic conditions dictate.

More than 1,400 microgrid projects have been deployed in more than 100 countries, Cho said.

The conference was organised by the National Research Council of Science & Technology, ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology.

The national strategy on developing renewable energy sources until 2030 and a vision to 2050 has just been approved by the Prime Minister.

The document notes that priority will be given to using biomass energy in producing electricity, and to using biogas and compact biomass to make fuel and liquid bio-fuel.

It also sets the goal of using 50 percent of industrial and agricultural waste for energy production purpose by 2020 from roughly 45 percent in 2015, and the rate should be raised to 60 percent by 2030 and 70 percent in 2050.

The use of waste from animal breeding industry and other urban waste sources for energy production will be encouraged under the strategy with the target of processing all the waste by 2050.

Solar energy will be developed in a bid to supply electricity to the most remote and far-flung areas across the country, as will wind power.-VNA

VNA

See more

The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. (Illustrative Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Cold, wet weather expected during Tet holiday

The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam urged to embrace alternatives to plastics for sustainable future

A research group from the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) is sounding the alarm on Vietnam's plastic waste crisis and advocating for a transformative shift towards sustainable alternatives.

A coastal area under the nature-based mangrove restoration project in Soc Trang. (Photo: VNA)

Project helps restore mangrove forests through nature-based solutions in Soc Trang

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang province, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Coca-Cola Foundation, organised a conference on January 16 to launch a project on increasing the coastal resilience of the Mekong Delta through mangrove restoration and nature-based solutions in the province.

Experts and representatives from businesses join a talk show at the event (Photo: VNA)

Programme supports businesses in practicing ESG

A programme was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on January 16 to support businesses in Vietnam in measuring and implementing comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices in human resources management to improve their competitive edge in the global supply chain.

Participants at the launch ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Ca Mau takes stand against illegal wildlife use

A campaign against the illegal use of wildlife was launched by the People's Committee of U Minh district in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau in collaboration with the Save Vietnam's Wildlife (SVW) on January 14.

Induced seismicity has been continually observed in Kong Plong district since 2021. (Photo: VNA)

4.2 magnitude quake strikes Kon Tum province

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Kong Plong district in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on early January 9 morning, according to the Vietnam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Geophysics.

The over 220 kg bomb is carried to a secure storage area in the central province of Quang Binh for safe detonation. (Photo: VNA)

Over-220kg bomb with intact fuse safely handled in Quang Binh

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Vietnam confirmed on January 4 that its experts and mobile bomb disposal team have safely handled and moved a bomb weighing over 220 kg to a secure storage area in the central province of Quang Binh, where it will await safe detonation.

Workers collect waste for recycling in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Classifying solid waste at source mandatory from January

Domestic solid waste must be classified at each household from the beginning of this year, according to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, which is considered a breakthrough step towards turning waste into resources.

One Javan pangolin released back to nature (Photo: VNA)

Twelve Javan pangolins released back to nature

The Cuc Phuong National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh, in collaboration with the Save Vietnam's Wildlife (SVW), successfully released 12 Javan pangolins (Manis Javanica) back into the wild on January 2.

The “Let’s Green Unitour” programme is launched to expand the green university model nationwide. (Photo: gogreen.ueh.edu.vn)

Go Green University network promoted nationwide

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the Vingroup Future Green Fund launched the “Let’s Green Unitour” programme to expand the green university model to 10 higher education institutions nationwide.

The Planning, Fair and Exhibition Palace is devastated by Typhoon Yagi on September in the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh. (Photo: VNA)

Centre to apply AI to tropical cyclone forecasting

The Hanoi University of Science and Technology's Institute for Research and Application of Artificial Intelligence, alongside relevant units, has been told to work closely with the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the forecasting of tropical cyclones ahead of the 2025 rainy and storm season.

High-rise buildings on Nguyen Chi Thanh street in Hanoi are under a layer of fog (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi targets 80% of days with good or moderate air quality annually

Hanoi has set a target to ensure that up to 80% of the days in a year have air quality index (VN-AQI) levels rated as good or moderate, based on data from standard national and city monitoring stations, according to the director of the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Le Thanh Nam.