Efficient use of energy in general and particularly in heavy industry is always a current topical subject. "World of Electricity" journalist met, discussed with managers and experts on this issue.

Mr. Trinh Quoc Vu - Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Energy Efficiency, General Department of Energy, MOIT says: energy consumption rate benchmarks for each sector shall be promulgated.

From 2006 to date, the National Target Program on economical and efficient use of energy has conducted many activities in training and capacity building for enterprises. However, due to budget limitations, the program mainly focuses on the typical projects, designed to "demonstrate" for other companies to learn and apply.

In fact, the use of energy in the sectors in general, and in industrial production in particular is still wasted. To produce the same one product, Vietnam industry needs more energy consumption, from 1.3 to 1.5 times higher than that practiced by other countries in the region and the world. In the time to come, to bring the energy efficiency into its in-depth practice, with practical results, MOIT will update data on the consumption of the industry, especially for the key energy consuming industries. Then, the norms of energy consumption for each specific sector shall be promulgated.

MOIT has many programs to support the enterprises in implementing energy saving measures. The Ministry is working with the World Bank to establish the incentives fund with over USD 200 million, to support the companies in making investment into energy efficiency technological change. It is expected that the Fund will be operated in 2016. In addition, the Green Investment Facility under the Low Carbon Transition in Energy Efficiency Project (LCEE Project)  went into operation, exerting its support up to 50% of the loan for SMEs and mechanisms to allow a bonus worth of 30% of the loan if the funded enterprises conduct the energy efficiency solutions well.

Mr Huynh Kim Tuoc - Director of Energy Conservation Center of HCM City

Besides the obsolete, outdated technology with too much energy consumption, there are also problems in equipment operating procedures. Many businesses turn on 100% of equipment every time they operate the system, no matter how much they need it.  With old technology, irrational operational procedures, the waste and loss are inevitable.

In recent years, information on energy efficiency has been primarily receptive based on the support from the State media. When we do not understand about energy efficiency, the promotion on media is correct. Now, when the awareness of energy efficiency has been improved, we have to move into a new phase, the phase of implementation of new strategies.

The government is recommended to work out supportive measures, to promote the healthy development of markets for energy-saving devices, and products, through effective mechanisms and incentives. Apart from it, the government is recommended also to utilize enforcement tools to keep the non-compliance units in discipline. Incentives and disciplines with enforcement must be aggressively performed in parallel.

 Trong Tan