The plastic sector is one of the most intensive uses of energy in Viet Nam. In 2010-2020, the industry experienced significant development with an average growth of about 16-18%, just behind telecommunication and textile. Some within related products had nearly 100% average growth. According to Viet Nam Energy Statistics 2019, the energy consumption of rubber industry and plastic industry surged from 5,722 GWh in 2016 to 7,627 GWh in 2019.
To promote energy efficiency (EE) in the sector, MOIT issued Circular 38/2016/TT-BCT, dated December 28, 2016, regulating the energy benchmark of plastic industry in the period of 2016-2020 and 2021-2025, scoping to plastic packaging, plastic building materials, household plastics and technical plastics. After six years of implementation, results are modest: few reports submitted by businesses and numerous under-guaranteed qualified reports. The culprits behind the situation are varied. They include insufficiency of human resources for EE, and businesses’ low capacity in EE implementation and energy management, which lead to confusion in calculating and identifying energy consumption norms. Furthermore, there aren’t any sanctions for businesses that have not submitted reports. Hence many of them continue to violate regulations.
Mr. Trịnh Quốc Vũ, Deputy Director of Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development (EESD) at the workshop
Giving the opening speech, Mr. Trịnh Quốc Vũ, Deputy Director of Department of EESD, said: “The Prime Minister signed the Decision No. 280/QĐ-TTg, dated March 13, 2019, on approving the National Energy Efficiency Program (VNEEP3), which set goals of cutting down on energy consumption for some industrial sub-sectors/sectors compared to the period 2015-2018. The plastic industry’s goals are to drop to 18.00 - 22.46% average energy consumption in 2025 and 21.55 - 24.81% in 2030.”
In the workshop, Vietnamese and international consultants presented barriers and challenges for key energy-use facilities in complying with energy benchmark regulations of the plastic industry. They also introduced toolkits for monitoring, reporting and verification on EE implementation at provincial level. Delegates also discussed the issue and gave feedback on the proposed revisions, which would be the basis for future studies and amendments from MOIT. This aims to complete and issue instructional materials that would contribute to boosting EE in the sector.
Delegates at the workshop
The workshop is an activity in Component 3 of Denmark - Viet Nam Energy Partnership Program in the period 2020 - 2025 (DEPP3) managed by the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development (MOIT). Component 3 focuses on promoting low-carbon pathways in the industrial sector of Viet Nam through reviewing and improving EE legal framework, capacity building and technical support for industrial businesses and stakeholders.
In 2021 and 2022, DEPP3 implemented numerous technical assistant activities, including research, survey and energy audits for many plastic enterprises. From then, calculations and recommendations on adjusting energy benchmark regulations of the plastic industry were provided, along with building a technical assistant system to help plastic businesses calculate and conduct their energy consumption reports. Besides, the Program supports in developing technical materials about EE to raise awareness and access to optimal solutions, thereby helping plastic businesses achieve energy goals as well as have their returning benefits.
Hà Nguyễn edited. Giang Nguyễn translated.