In the opinion of experts in the electricity sector, the wasteful use of power at most public offices and State-owned companies is attributed to many reasons. Specifically, many types of electrical equipment that are being used are outdated; the awareness of electricity users remains limited; the management of power use is still loose. The Ho Chi Minh City Energy Conservation Center recently carried out a survey and the results show that the amount of electricity consumed by businesses accounts for 25-65 percent of the total amount of electricity consumption in the city. The results of an audit that was conducted at 600 companies show that only three of them have advanced energy systems and the use of energy remains wasteful at all the remaining companies.

Nguyen Thanh Toan, a technical expert from the Ho Chi Minh City Energy Conservation Center, said, “Many simple methods can be applied to save at least 5-10 percent of electricity consumption, for example turning off electrical equipment when use is not necessary or operating air conditioners at suitable temperatures. However, many companies still ignore these simple methods.”

Pham Huy Phong, the head of the Consultation Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Energy Conservation Center, said, “Because they do not have to pay for the use of electricity at the office, employees do not have the habit of saving electricity. They often forget to turn off electrical equipment when getting out of the office. Another reason leading to wasteful use of electricity is improper installation, design and use of many types of office equipment such as lighting equipment and air conditioners.”

In Hanoi, the waste of power continues though the Hanoi People’s Committee has released Instruction 10/CT-UBND regarding efficient use of electricity in the capital. The Hanoi Energy Conservation Center recently surveyed 80 high-rise buildings in the capital, including the headquarters of departments, people’s committees of districts and corporations. The survey results show that the use of electricity at all these buildings remains wasteful. Eighty five percent of the surveyed buildings still use energy inefficient equipment such as old-styled fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts.

25-40 percent of electricity consumption can be saved

The Energy Management Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade said that in recent years the city achieved positive results in saving electricity. In the first six months of 2010, the city saved 111.4 million kWh of electricity, 11.58 percent above the planned target. Specifically, public lighting companies saved 37.8 million kWh (33.9 percent of the total); administrative offices saved 17.2 million kWh (15.5 percent); production facilities saved 36.8 million kWh; and families saved 19.5 million kWh (17.5 percent).

However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the potential for energy conservation remains high. Successful application of saving methods can reduce power consumption considerably. The cement sector for example can save 50 percent of power consumption and trade center buildings can save 25 percent. Through survey, the Ho Chi Minh City Energy Conservation Center found that power consumption at public offices can be reduced by 25-40 percent.

In Hanoi, the awareness of businesses about the need to save electricity has improved. The number of companies that made annual reports on electricity consumption in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 has increased but is still low.

Though the concerned ministries and departments have initiated many energy conservation programs and proposed lots of solutions to save energy, the situation cannot be improved overnight.

Tran Anh Hao, the head of the Energy Management Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, said, “Most offices and companies intend to gradually replace the old electrical equipment items with new, energy-efficient equipment items. This solution will help reduce electricity consumption but it will lead to the waste of existing public assets.”

To propose a solution for effective management of electricity consumption, Nguyen Anh Tuan, the deputy general director of the EVN Hanoi, said, “Power sale contracts do not have any article that requires customers to restrict consumption. Therefore, apart from conducting energy audits according to existing regulations, it is necessary to impose appropriate tax levels on users and adjust electricity prices. The State must set limits for power consumption at administrative offices depending on the number of staff members. On their side, businesses must also propose power saving methods based on the number of employees. If all those actions are taken seriously, it is believed that the situation of energy conservation will improve considerably.”

By Nga Nguyen