On October 9th 2010, in Japan, the energy efficiency training course for Vietnamese staff (ECVN7) ended successfully, after 12 days of hard work, studying the theory and practicing to operate machines at Japanese facilities which well implemented energy efficiency.

According to Can Tho Energy Conservation Center, with only three energy efficiency solutions, it has been estimated that each year, Meko Garment Joint Stock Company has the opportunity to save over VND 417 million, equivalent to reducing the consumption of about 338 Kwh and 2800 liters of DO oil. Implementing energy saving solutions, the company will also reduce 219 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Dong Nai is a province which has rapid economic growth with over 10 thousand enterprises in operation. Not only energy consumption but also the risk of environmental pollution is significantly high. Therefore, the goal of cleaner production, energy efficiency and conservation in production and consumption has been seriously implemented and brought positive results.

As one of three companies of which products are labeled as “Vietnam Energy Star”, the Rang Dong Light Source And Vacuum Flask Joint Stock Company proves its leading position in producing lighting equipment which has high quality, save energy and does less harms to the environment.

Each household taking part in the project has been provided with financial assistance worth VND1.2 million to build a biogas plant (of this sum, VND625,000 comes from the project’s budget and the remainder from the provincial budget). In places where the project was developed, people took active part in the construction of biogas plants. Before they were put into use, biogas plants were checked carefully and at the same time users were provided with detailed instructions to ensure effective and safe operation of biogas plants.

Each year, the factory discharges 3.000m3 of untreated waste water and 80 tons of untreated solid waste (waste rattan bark) into the environment. More ominously, waste water also contains many dangerous chemicals such as H2O2, NaOH, SiO2 ... Besides, a large amount of gas and dust dispersed into the air during the production process has also greatly affected the health of workers and the surrounding environment".

Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV), together with foreign partners, is researching the technology to exploit coals in the Red River coal basin. Currently, the Group is carrying out the procedures for additional exploration licenses in the area of 85.4 km2 in Khoai Chau, Hung Yen province. This location has been preliminarily explored and carefully searched.

If, in common sense, a buck saved is a buck earned, this proves all the more significant in energy savings, when a sum invested may result in higher profits and higher benefits. If, for an individual, energy saving merely means to avoid money burning big holes in his or her pocket, then for a company, it means better returns and better business efficiency, and for an economy, there are even greater dimensions of cost-effectiveness.

Apart from awareness in all the company, LaVie has also decided to invest in new technology as a way to reduce energy consumption. The deputy general director reveals that her company will replace all energy-consuming air compressors by smaller ones that fit the capacities of the current production lines. In addition, it has changed its lighting systems to LED lamps, and reduced water use as a way to cut energy consumption as well.

At the Vietnam - Russia Intergovernmental session which was held in mid-September, the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade V.Khristenko officially signed the Roadmap for the implementation of Vietnam - Russia cooperation projects in energy sector (Energy cooperation roadmap).

As part of the National program on energy efficiency and conservation, Energy Efficiency Office has collaborated with the German Energy Agency, ALTUS AG Company of German and Hanoi University of Science and Technology’s Center of New Energy to start the project "Installation of grid-connected solar system at the headquarters of MOIT to save energy and protect the environment".

Along with urban growth, the demand for use of energy in urban areas has increased rapidly, especially in big cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Nha Trang. In such circumstances, using solar energy is considered to be a solution that will help reduce energy consumption in urban areas and prevent climate change. This solution was discussed at a workshop themed 'Climate change and sustainable urban development in Vietnam' that was held recently in Hanoi.

The project on construction of a wind power electricity plant on Phu Quy Island has been implemented by the PetroVietnam Power Corporation. The project costs VND335 billion. The plant has capacity of 6MW and includes three 2MW turbines. The plant produces about 25.4 million of kWh annually. It will connect with the 22kV network and work smoothly with the diesel power plant located on the island. The project occupies permanent and temporary areas of 0.74ha and 0.87ha respectively.

On September 8, 2010, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Energy Conservation Office organized a ceremony to present an energy label titled Vietnam Energy Star and hand over energy efficiency certifications to three compact lamp manufacturers: Dien Quang, Philips Vietnam and Rang Dong.

In earlier September, in Dong Thap, representatives of the Center for Industrial Promotion & Consultancy Development reported and discussed the results of energy audit for businesses in the province. This is the program following the national energy policy which has been supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in some Southern provinces and cities (called ANEP 2).

The Ca Mau Province-based Cong Ly Construction, Trading and Tourism Co., Ltd. began work on construction of a wind power plant on September 9. The plant will have a capacity of 99MW including 66 turbines to be built on 500ha, which spans from the coastal part of Vinh Trach Dong Commune in Bac Lieu Town, Bac Lieu Province, to Vinh Chau District in Soc Trang Province.

According to Can Tho Energy Conservation Center, after six months of implementing energy efficiency projects and programs, many businesses in the city have had a change in awareness and actively participated in the implementation of energy saving measures. Since the beginning of the year, Can Tho City has saved over 9.5 million kWh of power.

In order to manufacture high quality products which have both domestic and international competitiveness, Catalan JSC has invested in the most modern technological lines and equipment using Robots and automation technologies. In addition, some auxiliary equipment is also imported from countries such as Japan, Britain, America and Belgium. Although the company is growing rapidly and creating a foothold in the market, the actual energy consumption is still high with over VND90 billion per year, including costs for electricity, coal and gas.

In the morning of 14 September 2010, at the head office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), the Office of Energy Efficiency, in collaboration with Vietnam Standards and Quality Institute, organized the workshop “Introduction of Energy Efficiency Labeling for electric fans”.

Cooperation on nuclear energy with Russia has a significant meaning, expressing the trust and strategic partnership defined between Vietnam and Russia. This was stated by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on receiving the General Director of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation, Sergei V. Kirienko, in Hanoi on September 3.

In September 2009, after two years of construction and infrastructure investment, the people of Dai Tan commune, with Dai Loc district government, were pleased to welcome the success of the first biopetrol products of Dai Tan ethanol plant which was invested by Dong Xanh JSC with the total investment capital of more than VND500 billion (the working capital is expected to reach VND900 billion). Dai Tan ethanol plant is considered an "enormous" project which will bring great benefits to the industry of Dai Loc district.

On 9th September 2010, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) held the Conference on science and technology activities in 2006-2010 period. Deputy Minister Do Huu Hao attended and chaired the meeting.

On 8th September, at the head office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, leaders of the Ministry granted the certificate of energy-saving products which are energy labeled for the group of compact light products of three dominant manufacturers of Vietnam, including Dien Quang Lamp Joint Stock Company, Philips Electronic (Vietnam) Co Ltd and Rang Dong Joint Stock Company.

With the support from Phu Tho Department of Industry and Trade’s Center of Industrial Promotion and Energy Efficiency, Song Hong Aluminum Joint Stock Compnay (directly under Song Hong Corporation – The Ministry of Construction) has been implementing energy saving solutions with initial success.

The city of Tuy Hoa is the economic, political, cultural and social center in Phu Yen province. It is also a regional transport center where National Highways 1A and 25 cross. Roads in the city span more than 100km. A focus has been on public light systems along national highways and major roads, while the light systems on lanes are dated and power-consuming.

Recently, the Branch of Standardization and Quality - Hai Duong’s Department of Science and Technology has organized a workshop on the demonstration projects on economical and efficient use of energy in the province of Hai Duong. The workshop was held in order to evaluate the effectiveness of energy saving methods used in two demo companies in 2009.