A statement provided by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, in accordance with Notice 343/TB/VPCP, the Hanoi People’s Committee has joined hands with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to launch a movement promoting energy efficiency among households in the 10 inner districts. In accordance with the criteria defined in the decree, energy efficiency and conservation will become a standard to evaluate emulation activities and families.

Mr. Le Danh Vinh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade in his speech at a meeting calling for energy saving in households in Hanoi

This year, the movement has been named, ‘Using energy efficiently by each family in order to save for the future generations’. Speaking at the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade headquarters, the department director Luu Tien Long, said the movement would become effective in 10 inner districts. 100,000 families will get involved and compete for the awards ‘Energy efficient families’ and ‘Exemplary energy efficient families’. The organizers expect the movement to be warmly welcomed by the community. Accordingly, the city leaders hope at least 300,000 Hanoi families will receive recognition by 2010.

Since the project ‘Promoting energy efficiency and conservation among farmers’ has been operational starting in 2008, several Hanoi businesses have responded. A report on energy efficiency and conservation program in Hanoi showed that last year the city saved 7.8 million kWh, 2,300 tonnes of coal, and 38,000 liters of oil. The report estimated that the city saved VND100 billion thanks to the program. To promote energy efficiency and conservation among the city dwellers, a movement was launched on March 30 at Quan Ngua Stadium and was transmitted live on diverse television channels (INVESTV, VCTV15).

The director of the Hanoi Center for Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Dao Hong Thai, said the movement aims to raise awareness and introduce people to use energy efficiently. These measures would then result in a breakthrough in people’s consciousness, which would propel them to take concrete action.

In order to ensure the legitimacy of the awards for ‘Energy efficient families’ and ‘Exemplary energy efficient families’, the Organizing Committee has been working closely with the National Office for Energy Efficiency and Conservation, local social and political organizations, and particularly the peasant and women’s associations in different areas.

Lately, Soc Son, a suburban district of Hanoi, hosted a meeting to respond to the national target program on energy efficiency and conservation. The meeting attracted attention from the media and businesses, and was actively supported by thousands of farmers in 26 communes as well as from state administrative organizations.

Criteria for exemplary energy efficient families: The family must use at least three out of the five following energy efficient products:

- For lighting: energy efficient lamps (compact, T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps, etc.)

- A special gas cooker (with a wind guard)

- A toilet with a dual economical water discharging system

- Air conditioners with inverter technology

- A solar energy water heater

By H.A