Having been deployed since 2006, so far the energy-saving activities and Cleaner Production in Dong Thap province have made many important achievements to contribute to energy efficiency, and reduction of environment pollution.

Raising Awareness for Energy Efficiency

Mr. Mai Van Doi - Director of the Dong Thap Center of Industrial Promotion and Development Consultancy said: "For the National Target Program on Economical and Efficient use of Energy 2006 -2015 to reach its schedule, the Centre has coordinated with relevant agencies to run the public communication actively in different forms. The regular communication and consulting on energy efficiency were operated in depth to help people and businesses understand the requirements of energy efficiency and find workable solutions. Thus, the households and businesses knew how to apply the measures to bring about high efficiency".

Using the fund from the Program and mobilized funds from the companies, the Department of Industry and Trade established the Information Showroom on energy savings products and the actual models; organized several conferences, workshops and training on energy efficiency. When businesses are aware of energy efficiency, the Dong Thap Center of Industrial Promotion and Development Consultancy organized specialized training courses on in-depth techniques; performed detailed energy audits, Cleaner Production Assessment; and supported the energy management system for businesses.

The realization of energy efficiency and cleaner production solutions is the optimal choice to help enterprises reduce loss of materials, and economical and efficient use of energy. Thus, enterprises are somewhat cutting down the material costs, energy cost, while still ensure the quality of the product. Mr. Pham Thanh Binh - Chairman of the Management Board, CEO of Food Bich Chi Corporation said: "Our Bich Chi Company regularly learns and updates the energy efficiency solutions, to be applied in accordance with each production section. In parallel with the construction and maintenance of management models and production supervision to achieve energy efficiency, savings, the company always focuses on communication among officials and staff in term of awareness and practice in energy conservation."

Studying the models for references of inverter in water pump control at Dong Thap Information Showroom on energy savings products.

Deployment of multiple outstanding activities on energy conservation

Supporting the implementation of energy audit is one of the activities to be highlighted in Dong Thap energy efficiency programs in recent years. From 2006 to present, Dong Thap Center of Industrial Promotion and Development Consultancy conducted energy audits for 65 enterprises in the province; 14 enterprises in Vinh Long, Can Tho, Soc Trang, Ben Tre, Long An and 10 businesses in Binh Duong, and Binh Thuan. This activity helps businesses identify the limitations in the energy use. Given the proposed solutions, many companies have applied solutions for energy-saving to bring about high efficiency, reduction of energy costs and contribution into increasing the competitiveness of enterprises.

The Dong Thap Center of Industrial Promotion and Development Consultancy also undertook the support for 3 enterprises in building their energy management system, and one enterprise has been certified with ISO 50001 (DOMESCO Medical Import - Export Joint-Stock Corp.). The application of energy management system in production helps the enterprises meet the provisions of the law, and enables the enterprises to strictly control the use of energy in their establishment.

Under 2-year implementation (2007-2008), the Project "Assessment of current energy use in the Dong Thap province and research into solutions for energy saving and efficiency" (provincial leveled science research project) is one of the remarkable results in energy conservation programs implemented by the Department of Industry and Trade. In addition, from 2012 up to the present, some localities (Sa Dec city, Hong Ngu town, Cao Lanh city) have invested into using LEDs on some main streets as a result of perception of practical effects from the use of LEDs in public lighting shown by the models.

Using the funds for Industrial Promotion and Cleaner Production in Industry (CPI), to deliver the highest efficiency, for the past few years, the Department of Industry and Trade has always coordinated well in the implementation of industrial promotion activities, related to local energy efficiency and cleaner production. Up to date, the Center has supported the implementation of detailed production assessment reports for 13 companies in the province; the technological innovation and application of cleaner production solutions in 3 enterprises.

Statistic data of the Department of Industry and Trade reveals that the total energy consumption in Dong Thap province is approximately 5.36 million TOE during 2006-2015 period. In particular, the energy saving is approximately 0.786 million TOE, reaching 14.65% of total energy consumption (the target of the national target program on energy saving and efficiency and industrial strategy for cleaner production is 5%-8%), equivalent to the amount of about VND6,762 billion, contributing to reduce the emissions by 2.6 million tons of CO2. Also, the energy intensity (kgOE/1.000USD2005) in the province is decreasing by year. By 2015, it has been brought down to 33.6% compared to 2005.

From the achievements in organization and implementation of energy conservation activities, from 2006 to date, the Department of Industry and Trade, the Dong Thap Center of Industrial Promotion and Development Consultancy has been honored with many of Merits of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Provincial People's Committee. As reflected by Mr. Nhi Van Khai - Director of Department of Industry and Trade, during the past years, thanks to extensive communication and deployment of outstanding activities on energy efficiency and cleaner production, so far most of companies in Dong Thap province are aware of the benefits of these activities. Therefore, almost 100% of the key energy users performed the energy audit as prescribed; a number of units among them took initiative in their second round of energy audit. Besides, the other units which were not subjected to mandatory energy audits also performed energy audit at their own discretion (supported with 50% of cost) to seek opportunities in energy efficiency and production cost reduction. In review of proposed solutions, many companies have applied the measures at their own discretion to save 30-40% of energy consumption, thus reducing the environmental pollution.

Trong Tan