Using clean energy is a weapon in the fight against climate change. Ho Chi Minh City is considered to have a rich solar resource which has not yet been exploited and used wisely. Recently, although Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Area and 23-9 Park has installed 32 lamp posts using solar power, it is still too small in comparison with actual demand. Is it due to the lack of funding or a hesitation to invest?

Sai Gon Giai Phong had an interview with Mr. Dao Anh Kiet – Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment about this problem.

Interviewer (I): Many people said that Ho Chi Minh City has a lot of solar potential, and the lack of exploitation of this resource is due to our hesitating in investing in it?

Mr. Dao Anh Kiet: There are 100,000 lamp posts currently consuming electricity in the city, so that only 32 running on clean energy is too small compared to the resources we have. The City has received funds from many developed countries, nongovernmental agencies (for example the UN Development Program, Asian Development Bank, Clean Technology Fund, Nordic Development Fund …) to carry out projects to adapt to climate change in the future, including improving public lighting system to run on solar energy. But in order for this to happen, there needs to be a revolution.

I: Are you referring to the revolution in management and investment?

Mr. Dao Anh Kiet: Yes. This revolution must be implemented thoroughly from management, investment to technology and science, in which technology and science hold the most vital role. Right now we do not yet have a clean energy industry. Clean energy devices all have to be imported at very high prices, yet their qualities have not been strictly controlled. Therefore, to promote the application of clean energy, we have to succeed in localizing these products. On the other hand, local governments should also take part in applying this new technology to stimulate domestic production, step by step setting conditions for a clean energy industry.

I: Which creates a higher economic efficiency, traditional lighting system or clean energy lighting system?

Mr. Dao Anh Kiet: Each has its own advantages. Traditional lighting system has been used for a long time, is very diverse in types, rich in design and stable in quality … Clean energy lighting system is relatively new, there are not many products in the market yet, investment is 40 to 60% higher than tradition lighting system. However, in the long run, using clean energy public lighting system will help achieve a higher economic efficiency.

Oil and gas potential in our country is far from large, in 15 years, we will come from exporting coals and crude oils to have a trade deficit in energy. In Ho Chi Minh City, if all public lighting is converted into using solar power, 73 million kWh can be saved every year. The government will also dramatically cut down on CO2 emission by lowering the amount of fossil fuel used to produce electricity; reduce investment of hydro plants, thereby limiting deforestation.

Solar energy lamp post in HCMC

I: Then why haven’t clean energy products been widely used?

Mr. Dao Anh Kiet: The City’s Adapting to Climate Change Program Steering Committee is building and will soon carry out many environment-friendly projects such as: limiting personal vehicles, converting the lighting system on Nguyen Hue Street and in District 1 into solar energy system, establishing a monitoring center to regulate greenhouse gas emission.

By these projects, we can show the world that Ho Chi Minh City is not only integrating economically but also well aware of climate change. However, to accomplish all aforementioned goals, we need to have specific road maps and make full use of support from developed countries and nongovernmental agencies.

 Nguyen Nhan