Binh Thuan launches energy saving program

Vietnam's Department of Industry and Trade and the provincial Center of Industrial Promotion launched its energy saving program, which has been planned and implemeted from the start of 2011.

Mr. Pham Van Khoa, Deputy Head of Consulting of the Provincial Center of Industrial Promotion, said: “In spite of those difficulties mentioned above, from beginning of 2011 to now, the Center of Industrial Promotion has organized direct working sessions with the education sector, Women's Union, Binh Thuan power, consultancy units and businesses to coordinate in the implementation of the program, thereby implementing surveys to assess the status of energy use in the province. On that basis, we have proposed solutions to use energy efficiently in the period of 2011 – 2015”.

The unit will coordinate with the Department of Education and Training to invest in a power saving five classroom model for Phan Thiet high school, with specific works such as surveying the installation of 50 lamps  for five classrooms; organizing a workshop on developing school lighting models and upgrading lighting systems for 10 classrooms of primary schools of Phu Thuy 1, Phu Thuy 2, Tuyen Quang, Duc Thang 1, and Mui Ne with financial support provided by Rang Dong Light Source & Vacuum Flask J.S.C. In addition, the Center of Industrial Promotion shall also collaborate with the provincial Women's Union to build a model of 150 power saving households in the neighborhood, install solar water heaters for households with demands.

Binh Thuan power subsidizes VND 1 million per household.The Center shall carry out energy audit for three industrial companies and one professional unit which consumes much energy.

The National Program on Energy Efficiency and Conservation includes activities to encourage, promote and propagate science and technology research and mandatory management measures, thereby, carrying out activities of energy efficiency and conservation in the society. The program is implemented from 2006 to 2015, divided into two stages: From 2006 to 2010, implementing all contents of the program; and from 2011-2015, performing those contents deeply and widely based on the evaluation of experiences and results achieved in phase I. The goal of the program is saving 3% to 5% of the total national energy consumption in the period of 2006-2010 and from 5% to 8% of the total energy consumption in the period of 2011-2015, compared to current predictions about energy development and socio-economic development under the normal development plan.

According to the Provincial Center of Industrial Promotion, the Energy saving program in 2011 is subsidized by the central budget, under the National Program on Energy Efficiency and Conservation with the total budget of VND 250 million, and VND 120 million by the local budget. However, it must be said that energy saving is still unpopular with the province, leading to limited perceptions of the community and businesses. In addition, professional knowledge of officials in the field of energy efficiency is not sufficient; the allocation of funds to the locality is slow and limited, affecting the implementation process.