Vietnam works to deter electricity waste
Vietnam saved nearly 12 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in the last five years following the implementation of various programmes on energy efficiency.
 |
As such, an average of 2.37 billion kWh or almost VND3.8 trillion (US$170.4 million) were saved each year from 2011 to 2015.
During the period, the Earth Hour campaign, which urges locals to turn off lights and unnecessary electrical devices for one hour, was launched with nationwide publicity blitzes.
The event gathered significant support from society. Vietnam was estimated to save an average of 419,000 kWh or VND684 million (US$30,677) in one hour without electric light.
More than three million households took part in an energy efficiency project geared at families. Many of the participants cut down their electricity costs by over ten percent annually.
A programme on safe and efficient use of power was introduced at elementary and secondary schools across the nation. This brought basic knowledge about electricity as well as its uses and associated safety measures to thousands of pupils.
Also in the five-year period, more than 110,000 solar boilers were installed replacing electric ones. Currently, there are 700,000 solar boilers operated nationwide, saving 1 billion kWh, which is equivalent to VND1.6 trillion (US$71.76 million), per year.
The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) subsidised up to 25% of fluorescent tube prices to encourage people to replace their incandescent light bulbs. Impoverished households have been given free tubes. The subsidisation eradicated seven billion incandescent light bulbs.
As a result, electricity consumption was reduced by an average of 460 million kWh, equalling VND700 billion (US$31.39 million), annually.
Began in 2014, another subsidisation programme by the Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC) enabled 24 enterprises that were recording annual electricity consumption exceeding three million kWh, to use an energy audit service.
The cost of their audits totalled VND3.3 billion (US$148,000), of which VND2 billion (US$89,700) was subsidised. The service helped prevent an average annual waste of 162 million kWh.
In 2016, EVN will continue these sound programmes and promote the use of products with energy-saving labels.
