PM Approves Energy-Saving Program for 2006-2015

The Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has just approved the two-phase national energy saving program, under which the nation will cut 3%-5% of the total energy consumption across the nation in 2006-2010 period and 5%-8% in 2011-2015 period, state media reported

 

The program is aimed to encourage economical power usage, reduce investments to develop energy-providing networks and contribute to environment protection from now until 2015.

 

The program includes 11 projects and six measures.

 

According to the program, the energy sector will apply power conservation models and suitable power price schemes in combination with using energy-saving appliances and facilities.

 

All state offices, agencies are advised to use compact and fluorescent lights with the aim to save at least 10% of power and 50% of public lights annually.

 

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) is also required to minimize power losses to 11% this year and 9% by 2010.

 

To carry out this program PM also appointed the Industry Minister as the Head of the Steering Board with the members-representatives from the Ministries of Construction, Transport and Communications, Finance, Education and Training, Culture and Information, Science and Technology, Planning and Investment, and Justice, the Government Office and the Union of Viet Nam Scientific Associations.

 

Earlier, the country’s two largest economic hubs, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Capital City, have already approved plans to cut 50% of public lighting and save 10% of power consumption.

 

In a related development, the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment initiated a $28.8 million project to improve energy use efficiency for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the coordination of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment Fund (GEF).