Vietnam Boosts Energy Saving

Relevant authorities in Vietnam have recently gathered in Hanoi to discuss measures to boost implementation of the national program on efficient and economic energy use, state media reported.

 

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said that Vietnam’s energy output is low, and the national energy consumption is bigger than regional countries.

 

Vietnam may have to face trade deficit in term of energy in the near future, the government official emphasized.

 

Hai demanded relevant agencies and authorities, including the Ministries of Industry and Trade, Finance, Construction, and Natural Resources and Environment, to take drastic measures to effectively conduct the program with focus on investment in technology to save energy and protect the environment.

 

Vietnam saved 750 million kWh of electricity and reduced the national power leakage rate to 10.5 per cent in 2007, the meeting was told.

 

State-owned Electricity of Vietnam group (EVN) has proposed that the Government choose 2008 to be "the Year of Energy Savings" and was given the green light by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

 

The Government has planned to invest VND36 billion (US$2.3 million) in the National Program of Effective Energy Use in 2008, meanwhile, EVN has targeted to save at least 680 million kWh of electricity this year.

 

Despite current serious power lack that estimated at 8.6 billion kWh this year, Vietnam has not yet used energy efficiently and economically as the country is estimated to squander around US$1 million worth of energy a year, said a recent report jointly conducted by a Vietnamese agency and a Dutch partner. (Saigon Liberation)