CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

This event was a joint effort between the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development - Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Department of Industry and Trade of Long An province. Participants from various departments, state agencies, People's Committees of neighbouring provinces, and designated energy users in Long An province.

Mr. Trinh Quoc Vu, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development - Ministry of Industry and Trade, opened the workshop. He emphasized the crucial role of the energy sector in Viet Nam's socio-economic development. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the sector, including high energy consumption growth rates and depleting domestic fossil energy sources. He stressed that energy efficiency is the leading solution to ensure Viet Nam's energy security and limit dependence on fuel imports.

"In the period of 2021 - 2025, the Vietnam’s energy security is forecasted to be very stressful when the energy supply does not meet the energy demand. In the long term, Vietnam will be a net importer of coal, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) as well sooner than expected. In this context, the Government of Vietnam has considered the implementation of economical and efficient use of energy the leading solution to ensure the Vietnam’s energy security and limit the country’s dependence on fuel imports as it is the most cost-effective investment solution”, Mr. Trinh Quoc Vu stated.  

The workshop introduced the Energy Partnership Program between Viet Nam and Denmark period 2020-2025 (DEPP3). Funded by the Danish Government, the program is implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in collaboration with the Danish Energy Agency and the Danish Embassy in Viet Nam. The Component 3 of the Program focuses on promoting low-carbon development in the industrial sector in Viet Nam. 

Consultants of the DEPP3 Program introduced the structure of the Voluntary Agreement Program (VAS), which aims to promote energy efficiency in the industrial sector. They also discussed the implementation plan of the pilot VAS in provinces and cities of Viet Nam. 

The workshop provided an opportunity for enterprise representatives to learn from experiences and access energy efficiency solutions through the technical support of leading domestic and foreign energy consultants. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will consider all opinions from the workshop delegates and continue to refine the structure of the VAS for successful implementation within the DEPP3 Program framework. The implementation of the VAS will assist the Ministry in developing incentive mechanisms to promote energy efficiency in the industrial sector, contributing to the goals of the Viet Nam National Program on Energy Efficiency for 2019-2030 (VNEEP3) and the Government's efforts to promote economical and efficient use of energy.