Great efforts have been made to improve public awareness about energy savings. Energy efficient appliances have replaced power consuming equipment. Millions of compact lamps and solar water heaters have been used, while many power saving models have been applied to factories and smart/green buildings.

Solar energy is being used more than ever before. There are more than 100 solar water heater providers that have sold about 40,000 sets annually. Many businesses are selling small-sized wind power generators. The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta is developing biogas-consuming generators. Huynh Kim Tuoc, the director of the Ho Chi Minh City Energy Efficiency and Conservation Center, said that Ho Chi Minh City has bought 70 percent of solar water heaters in Vietnam from more than 80 providers and will become a center for renewable energy technology in the south.

The Steering Committee for the National Targeted Program on Energy Efficiency and Conservation said that 15.2 billion kWh was saved from 2006-2008 (the saving rate increased from 1.56 percent in 2006 to 3.15 percent in 2007 and 3.48 percent in 2008). It is expected that renewable energy will make up five percent of the amount of power consumption in 2015 compared with just about one percent currently.

To encourage the public to use power efficiently, the National Assembly adopted the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law on June 17, 2010. The Steering Committee for the National Targeted Program on Energy Efficiency and Conservation also said that together with investment in the development of new sources of energy, power saving is essential for national energy balance.

However, experts said that the energy consumption to GDP growth ratio for Vietnam remains too high when it comes to comparison with countries in the region, despite significant improvements.

Nguyen Dinh Hiep, the head of the Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that Vietnam has great potential for the development of sources of renewable energy such as small hydropower and wind plants in the southern central region like Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, and solar energy across the country since Vietnam is located in a tropical zone. However, Hiep said that because Vietnam has to import equipment to produce wind power, and winds in Vietnam are not as frequent as in Europe, the production cost of wind power is high ranging from 8-10 cents per kWh. Despite that, almost 20 foreign companies and groups are looking to invest in wind power in Binh Thuan. They are also expecting specific incentives from the government that would stimulate foreign investment in wind power.  

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Energy Efficiency and Conservation will together with the Anh That Trading Service Co., Ltd. launch ENCON EXPO 2010, a second fair/exhibition on energy efficient products and renewable energy, from October 25-28 in Ho Chi Minh City. This is an ideal chance for domestic businesses to advertise energy efficient products among consumers and partners, boost exchanges, cooperation and technology transfers, and improve people's awareness about energy efficiency and conservation.

The fair will comprise of 200 booths of 200 domestic companies including Rang Dong, Selco Vietnam, Vina and Phuong Nam, and 40 foreign companies including Schneider and Osram that will display energy efficient products, services, solutions and ideas in the areas of industry, building, household utensils, transport, construction, public lighting and renewable energy. Within the framework of the fair, the organizers will hold workshops and meetings between Vietnamese companies and 40 French businesses under the theme, "Green Architectural Solutions", a workshop for Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese businesses, regarding new energy technologies and renewable energy, and a workshop on a possible financial mechanism for businesses in the areas of energy conservation.

In addition, businesses will meet the media and customers to talk about their products. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will set up a scientific council to examine and certify energy efficient products at the fair. For this reason, the fair is expected to boost the development of the domestic market for equipment/technology in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency. This will also be a good time for foreign businesses to look for partners and agents in Vietnam, display products to the public and improve general awareness of energy efficiency.

By Ngoc Long