In the implementation of National Target Program on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, over time, Can Tho City Power Company and other relevant departments of the city have been actively implementing the solutions for energy efficiency in the business community. It then helps enterprises save production costs and improve business efficiency, and increase market competitiveness.

Tapping the potentiality

In 2015, apart from the public communication to promote the initiatives to raise awareness of energy saving practices in the business community, Can Tho Power Company also cooperated with the Department of Industry and Trade to organize many training courses, to deploy safety solutions and energy saving in factories for the workers, and energy managers in the city.

The trainings and seminars have provided the knowledge about the principles of operation, operational technology, technical solutions utilized in energy-saving boiler systems, and safe, efficient and economical technical operation of industrial refrigeration systems at the production line in the factory. It then contributes to improvement of the knowledge, management and the economical use of energy for workers and energy managers, to save production costs and improve business efficiency for businesses.

In parallel, Can Tho Power Company in collaboration with other relevant departments of the city tested the use of electricity in the enterprises, energy audits, dissemination of Law on Energy Efficiency in key enterprises in the province. Currently, many enterprises have been actively improving their lighting systems, installation of inverters for engines, replacement of refrigeration compressor in the production line. The majority of these solutions help businesses reduce energy consumption significantly, while the investment for them is not too high.

Mr. Duong Nghia Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade concurrently Director of Can Tho City Energy Conservation Center said: During the past time, Can Tho City Energy Conservation Center has performed the energy audits and consultancy installation and technological innovation for businesses in the sector of aquatic products processing, agricultural products, and beverages. The audit results show that the enterprises have reduced 15 -25% of energy consumption, contributing to support businesses to use energy with more savings and efficiency.

Technological innovation, improvement of productivity and product quality, especially the practice of energy efficiecy targets are now the focuses of many enterprises.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri, Head of Technical Department, Song Hau Food Processing JSC , says: For  seafood processing enterprises, refrigeration system for production and reserves account for 70% the total energy consumption of the enterprise. Therefore, the application of the measures to save power consumption without large investment are now the key concerns. During the past time, the enterprises have been gradually replacing old obsolete, power consuming equipment with new devices, which can save electricity. For the lighting system, the priority is now given to LED lighting in the production lines, warehouses, and workshops. In addition, the central air-conditioning system is also applied, with regularly checks over the equipment operation in the manufacturing process and timely fixing of troubleshootings, which may have caused rapid power loss. It is also the communication and mobilization of officials and employees of enterprises to carry out energy-saving measures actively, with rational use of electricity. The initiative application of energy efficiency measures not only helps enterprises save production costs but also contributes to the implementation of the National Target Program on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy.

Opportunities

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri shared: the potential energy efficiency remains untapped in enterprises if the enterprise can afford some investments, innovative applications of modern technology and equipment in production processes. However, most enterprises lack capital, energy management staff, and technical skilled workers ... Consequently, it is necessary to extend the assistance from the concerned sectors to help businesses in need to make changes in technology, and energy efficiency.

To support the enterprise in needs of technology change, Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has collaborated with Southern General Electric Corporation to hold a workshop "Solutions to energy efficiency projects in ESCO model (Energy Saving Performance Contract)" for as many businesses in and outside Can Thi city. 

ESCO model is considered an useful solution to create the potentials for energy savings and help businesses monitor and manage the energy efficiency.

To support enterprises to deploy ESCO model, EVN in cooperation with power units and other concerned departments in the southern provinces conducted consultation service and implemented many energy efficiency solutions for enterprises. In addition, to achieve the effects and positive impacts of the deployment of ESCO model, EVN selected and partnered with competent and experienced companies in deployment of ESCO model to offer solutions of consulting, and engineering, just to help businesses get the full information and the scientific basis for the implementation of ESCO model. Along with the support in term of consultants, technical solutions, EVN also supports in certain funding, to help businesses take the first favourable steps to facilitate the implementation of ESCO model.

In 2015, the Southern General Electric Corporation, in cooperation with Can Tho Power Company and related units, had a fieldwork survey and consultancy service for an ESCO project in Can Tho Seafood Import-Export JSC (Caseamex). Through the survey, Caseamex was supported with funding to have solar hot water system installed for the production, processing, to save substantial energy, and to improve its productivity. Besides, Can Tho Energy Conservation Center has been coordinating with the Ministry of Industry & Trade to implement the "Low Carbon Transition in Energy Efficiency Project (LCEE Project) to extend the assistance to enterprises of seafood processing to access concessional loans, and energy audits. This project contributes to reducing environmental pollution, promotes the development of enterprises.

In the time to come, with influential support from sectors and at all levels and the projects, the model of economical and efficient use of energy implemented for the business community will create opportunities for businesses to make investment into application of modern technology and equipment for efficiency of production and business. Thus, it contributes to ensuring a stable power supply to serve the needs of business and production activities, to protect the environment and energy security of the country.

Trong Tan