In the implementation of National Program for Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province has carried out a lot of activities which aim at promoting power saving in the area.

Plenty of programs has been implemented to raise local residents’ awareness of energy conservation in the province, but the most successful one was “Power saving families”, which contributed to saving 33 million KW from 2011 to 2015. Furthermore, the authority has provided farmers with 100,000 energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs for cultivation of dragon fruits. 

In addition, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Industry and Trade Department has organized various training programs focusing on power system operation and management for local corporations, so that they could enhance their skills, gain knowledge of energy efficiency and conservation regulations, and approach leading energy saving incentives.

Conference "Investment in energy saving projects using ESCO model" held in Vung Tau 

As a result, a lot of corporations have upgraded their manufacturing systems to reduce energy consumption. For instance, a steel manufacturer named Pomina 3 has built automatic production line system using the most innovative technologies from Europe, which helps it to save power, reduce greenhouse emission and recycle water waste. Its production line system now consumes 350 KWh per ton while other manufacturers' typically require 600 KWh per ton to operate.

Furthermore, Ba Ria - Vung Tau is calling for investment in energy saving model named ESCO. In December, Industry and Trade Department and other entities held the conference “Investment in energy saving projects using ESCO model”. More than 150 delegates from local enterprises were informed about solar water heating system using ESCO model, which can save about 60% cost of water heating. The model is appropriate for hotels and resorts which require a huge amount of hot water consistently. Therefore, it may help to promote “Green Tourism” in Vung Tau.

Due to all of these practical activities, Ba Ria - Vung Tau saved 63,663,051 KWh of electricity in 2015. However, the use of solar energy and high quality compact fluorescent light bulbs in the province is still limited. Consequently, in the future, Ba Ria - Vung Tau still has to boost energy saving activities, quickly implement projects approved by the authority and support farmers in using power saving bulbs. In so doing, the province will reduce energy consumption and improve manufacturing efficiency, which contributes to ensuring electrical security not only for Ba Ria - Vung Tau but also for the whole nation.

Hanh Nguyen