Saving and using energy efficiently is one of the best solutions to ease the pressure on power supply amid large- and medium-sized hydropower plants in Vietnam already operating at their maximum capacity, experts have said.

Electricity workers examine facilities of the Thanh My 500kV
transformer station in Quang Nam province 

In March 2019, the Government approved a national target programme on economical and efficient energy use for 2019 – 2030, which aims to save 5 – 7 percent of the total energy consumed during 2019 – 2025 and raise this rate to 8 – 10 percent during 2019 – 2030.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) cited the results of an energy audit at 10 businesses that showed that they used to consume about 3.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) worth nearly 672.77 million USD each year. After applying efficient energy use solutions, they have saved nearly 174 TOE, equivalent to 78,000 USD, and reduced 606,808 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

According to the MoIT’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development Department, the energy saving potential of industries in Vietnam is considerable, about 20 – 30 percent. Industries such as cement, steel, textile-dyeing and chemical production could save up to 40 percent of the energy they consume.

Experts said to promote efficient energy use in industries, aside from turning energy saving into a habit, it is critical to apply new technological solutions to replace energy intensive technologies.

Do Huu Hao, Chairman of the Vietnam Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Association, said the State should carry out concrete activities to assist businesses in applying energy efficient solutions.

The MoIT said in the scenario of an annual GDP growth rate of 7 percent, the electricity demand could reach 235 billion kWh in 2020, 352 billion kWh in 2025 and 506 billion kWh in 2035.

Although the growth rate of power demand will slow to about 8.5 percent in 2021 – 2025 and 7.5 percent in 2026 – 2030, the demand will remain very high.

Trinh Quoc Vu, Deputy Director of the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development Department, said saving and using energy efficiently is one of the best solutions to ease pressure on power supply. 

He noted large- and medium-sized hydropower plants in Vietnam are operating at their maximum capacity. Besides, coal, oil and gas resources will decline soon while renewable energy does not yet satisfy demand on large scale due to high production costs.

Apart from easing the pressure on energy production, economical and efficient energy use will also help conserve energy resources, protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the MoIT.