Energy Conservation Takes Root
Although they were deterred by many difficulties associated with human resources, the community’s limited awareness of energy efficiency and conservation, and the global financial crisis and economic downturn, energy efficiency and conservation activities in 2009 obtained positive results. Vietnam Economic News’ Minh Hanh spoke with Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr. Do Huu Hao about the achievements in 2009 and the targets for 2010.
Could you brief energy efficiency and conservation successes in 2009?
Although they were faced by many difficulties, energy efficiency and conservation operations in 2009 were positive. Many projects proved effective and contributed greatly to reducing energy costs and improving business competitiveness.
Notable successes included the completion of an energy efficiency and conservation bill, which was submitted to the National Assembly in October 2009, the formation of central and local energy efficiency and conservation centers to effectively implement activities of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program across the country, and the introduction and application of solar water heaters in households and organizations. Almost 3,000 solar water heaters were installed within the framework of the program.
A program encouraging the use of compact fluorescent lamps from 2007-2010 was another success. The statistics indicate that until November 2009, producers in Vietnam (Rang Dong, Dien Quang and Philip) sold more than 28 million compact fluorescent lamps of different kinds. Last year, almost 500 important businesses were surveyed in terms of energy efficiency and conservation, more than 200 businesses had their energy use audited, and more than 10 experimental energy efficiency and conservation projects were implemented in the fields of plastics, beer, liquor, beverages, textiles, garments, lighting and others.
What are major difficulties facing energy efficiency and conservation activities?
Most of businesses and energy efficiency and conservation centers participating in projects of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program were welcomed by authorities at different levels while receiving the program’s direct assistance. Energy efficiency and conservation centers were financially assisted to implement concrete projects in localities and join training courses opened by the program. Businesses also had all of their energy auditing cost supported by the program while being provided with energy efficiency and conservation technology information and trained in energy efficiency and conservation skills by the program.
Difficulties and challenges are inevitable. A major reason of this lies in the business community’s limited awareness of energy efficiency and conservation, less developed project development consultancy and the lack of skilled specialists. In addition, businesses still find it difficult to approach credit sources.
The energy efficiency and conservation bill was carefully drafted but there are controversial opinions about the legislation. What do you think about this?
After listening to assessments and suggestions of deputies at the sixth session of the National Assembly (the 12th Legislature), the law compilation board researched these assessments and suggestions and then told the law editorial board to adjust the law in accordance with energy use practices in Vietnam to increase the law’s enforceability.
The law will be adjusted on the following principles:
* Adjusting provisions governing energy users’ actions in production, trading and other activities; supplementing provisions related to energy security.
* Clarifying law execution duties and capabilities through requiring authorities to increase their management and supervision of energy use in energy use facilities and giving more powers to local authorities.
* Combining propaganda and education with encouragement and mandatory management. Those that use much energy -big energy users that consume more than 1,000 TOE (tonne of oil equivalent) – and state budget users are responsible for implementing management and technological measures as stated in the law.
* Energy use equipment and devices will be strictly managed to gradually improve energy efficiency and conservation through labeling, observing the minimum energy efficiency norm and making public energy efficiency information.
* Promoting the development and use of scientific and technological solutions such as thermo- and hydroelectric co-generation, technological solutions that increase general energy efficiency, development and popularization of the clean coal burning technology, and use of recycled fuel, bio-fuel and renewable energy and more.
* Suggesting appropriate financial policies to assure a stable source of finance for energy efficiency and conservation projects.
What are major objectives and solutions of the 2010 energy efficiency and conservation program?
To reach the target of saving three to five percent of total final energy demand in the period from 2006-2010, apart from measures that were or are underway, in 2010 financial priorities will be given to projects, which realize energy efficiency and conservation solutions in businesses, and the development and expansion of the project on development of solar water heaters and biogas plants, energy efficiency and conservation building demonstration model projects, and more.
The 2010 energy efficiency and conservation program will focus on implementing the following major tasks: 1) to provide training, including technical training, for managers and technicians from departments of industry and trade, power companies, energy efficiency and conservation centers and important businesses; 2) to apply an energy efficiency and conservation label to products such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, electric fans and compact fluorescent lamps; 3) to continue assisting important businesses to renovate technology and realize energy efficiency and conservation solutions; 4) to work with organizations like the Vietnam Women’s Union, Vietnam Farmers’ Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Communist Youth Union and more to continue programs under which the community is encouraged to join the 2010 energy efficiency and conservation program’s activities.
The Ministry of Construction will be providing guidelines for departments of construction to implement mandatory management of energy efficiency and conservation projects in all newly constructed buildings in accordance with Vietnamese construction standards, while the Ministry of Transport will be promoting the targeted program’s implementation and suggesting solutions to improve means of transport’s energy efficiency and energy consumption assessment. /.
VEN
Tags: Vietnam energy
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