Awareness workshop on Energy management system and system optimization adoption is part of the capacity-building component under Phase 1 - Enhancing institutional and policy frameworks of the project "Accelerating energy efficiency in large industries through energy management systems, system optimisation and the promotion and adoption of energy efficiency" (IEEP). The project is implemented by UNIDO with support from the European Union (EU).

Participants at the workshop included representatives from the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade), representatives from Bac Ninh's Department of Industry and Trade, members of the IEEP Project Office, representative of Risk Sharing Facility (Vietnam Scaling up energy efficiency project - VSUEE), technical staff from energy service companies, and representatives from local industrial enterprises.

To promote the widespread implementation of energy efficiency and conservation activities across various sectors of the economy and society, the Vietnamese government has issued and implemented a series of important policies, programs, and actions over the past 20 years. According to the provisions of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Conservation (effective from January 1, 2011), key energy users (KEUs) have the following responsibilities: Designating an energy manager; Conducting energy audits every three years; Implementing an energy management model; Developing and executing annual and five-year plans for energy efficiency and conservation.

Globally, energy management system standards have been applied in many countries such as Europe, the U.S., Japan, etc., since the 2000s, resulting in significant energy savings for businesses and organizations. The International Organization for Standardization issued the ISO 50001:2011 - Energy Management System Standard in 2011, with the revised version, ISO 50001:2018, being released in 2018.

In Vietnam, the national standard TCVN ISO 50001:2019 - Energy Management System was introduced in 2019, fully compatible with ISO 50001:2018. Today, this energy management system is recognized as an effective energy management tool for many enterprises and organizations worldwide.
 
Mr. Quach Quang Dong emphasized that implementing the energy management system according to ISO 50001, combined with system optimization solutions, will help industrial enterprises comply with the provisions of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, save on energy costs, reduce production costs, increase competitiveness, and contribute to environmental protection.

Every year, Bac Ninh's Department of Industry and Trade organizes conferences to promote and guide KEUs on regulations regarding energy efficiency and conservation, electrical safety, and usage. Public communication activities are also highly prioritized, includes: Organizing Earth Hour activities; Printing and distributing the handbook "Energy-Savings" for elementary school students; Printing and distributing a handbook on energy-saving for households; Organizing competitions to raise awareness and promote energy-saving practices among elementary school students; Producing special reports to introduce energy-saving solutions and their effectiveness; Supporting enterprises in developing energy management models and providing training on efficient energy use.
Photos of the workshop: