Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Addressing the “Vietnam EnergyForum: Present and Future”held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Hanoi on May 4, Thien said that energywasting in using, which leads to a high energy cost, reduces the country’scompetitiveness.
Vietnam’s growth model has long been dependent on exploitingnatural resources, traditional industries, energy-consuming and low technologysectors, he added.
Thien noted that currently, energy consumption in the cementindustry is 50 percent, while that of the pottery industry is 35 percent;garmentand textile, 30 percent; steel, 20 percent; and agriculture, 50 percent.
He also stressed the need to promote the reasonable use ofenergy in a smart economy, along with the application ofmodern technology inenergy production and consumption to reduce cost.
Meanwhile, experts at the event highlighted that energystrategy should be included in technology strategy to deal with the tension ofenergy supply and demand, while prioritising the development of high technologyindustries instead of “classical” ones that require large amount of naturalresources and energy.
It is also necessary to focus on a green and safe energysystem with the key pillar being renewable energy, they said.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam isfacing challenges in energy as the energy demand is surging amidst stricterenvironment requirements that put pressure on the ensuring of energy security.
From an energy exporter, Vietnam has become a countryimporting energy, added the ministry.
It noted that the energy demand in the recent five yearsrose about 9.5 percent each year, which is forecast to continue to increase inthe next 15 years. At the same time, energy consumption increases averagely 13percent each year in the 2006-2010 period and 11 percent in the recent fiveyears and about 10 percent in the future.
A representative from Department of Industry under the CentralCommittee’s Economic Commission said that along with ensuring energy supplythrough the comprehensive development of the energy system, it is crucial to re-assessthe trend of energy using in the world and apply modern technology and savingenergy.
In order to reach the target of 1-1.5 percent reduction inenergy loss each year, stronger measures are needed in energy savingnationwide, said the official.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong saidthat the ministry is concentrating on building policy and mechanisms withapproach of economical and effective energy using andapplication of environmentally-friendly technology in energy production towardsa low-carbon economy.-VNA
VNA
