On September 25, 2024,  the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), in collaboration with the Vietnam Energy Conservation and Efficiency Association (VECEA), held the launching ceremony for the "Energy Efficiency Awards in Industry and Building Construction 2024" and the "Highest Energy Efficiency Product Award 2024."

Attendees at the ceremony included representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, VECEA, several associations, energy experts, industrial enterprises, building entities, and many media and television agencies.

The industrial sector accounts for more than 50% of national energy consumption. Surveys indicate that the energy-saving potential in Vietnam’s industrial sector is estimated to be around 20-30%.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade statistics, since the mandatory energy labeling program began on July 1, 2013, over 90% of household appliances now bear energy labels. This program has phased out the consumption of incandescent light bulbs and improved energy efficiency for six high-energy-consuming products (transformers, air conditioners, rice cookers, electric fans, fluorescent tube lights, and CFLs).

Regarding construction in Vietnam, with an annual increase in floor area of over 40%, the energy-saving potential in buildings is estimated to be between 30-35%.

These figures demonstrate that there remains significant potential for energy savings across various sectors. According to calculations by the Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the country has 3,068 key energy users with annual energy consumption levels of 1,000 TOE (tonnes of oil equivalent), or the equivalent of 6 million kWh of electricity per year. These enterprises have an average electricity consumption of 80 billion kWh per year. If these facilities manage to save at least 2% of their annual electricity consumption (in line with Directive No. 20/CT-TTg by the Prime Minister on enhancing electricity savings for the 2023-2025 period), the country could save around 1.6 billion kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to a cost savings of over 3,200 billion VND.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang stated that the Energy Efficiency Awards are held annually to recognize and honor enterprises in the industrial production sector and exemplary buildings that have implemented energy-saving solutions.

At the same time, efforts are being made to encourage enterprises to implement advanced management and technological solutions to bring to market products with superior technical features, high energy efficiency, and energy savings.

“These awards are expected to contribute more towards mitigating climate change and achieving the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, as per the Vietnamese Government's commitment to climate change response,” emphasized Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang.

The jury panel for these awards consists of experts from research agencies, universities, and related industry associations with years of experience in the energy field. The panel will work objectively, impartially, and transparently, based on technical specifications, to evaluate the solutions, technologies, equipment, and products registered for the awards.

The application period for the awards runs from September 25, 2024, to November 30, 2024. After the application period ends, the technical committee will evaluate and select the projects, products, and companies that meet the award criteria. The organizing committee will accept submissions in both paper and electronic formats and will provide maximum support for businesses during the submission process. The award ceremony is expected to take place in December 2024.

In conjunction with the launch of the awards, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also organized an "Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Industry: Technological and Financial Solutions" seminar. This provided an opportunity for experts and enterprises to meet and exchange experiences and solutions to improve energy efficiency in the industrial sector. During the seminar, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shared technical and financial solutions for industrial enterprises to implement energy efficiency solutions through international cooperation projects. Additionally, the seminar presented technological solutions for energy efficiency in refrigeration systems, motors, and management systems from brands such as Daikin, Toshiba, and Schneider.