Bringing Energy Conservation into Community Life

Energy savings start at home

Doan Thi Thu Hang, a pig farmer in Phu Loi Hamlet, Phu Hoa Dong Commune, Cu Chi District, described receiving district support to build a biogas digester. Her neighbours had previously complained about odours from the pig pens. After attending local energy-saving training, she learned that biogas could reduce livestock-related pollution while saving fuel. She applied for a loan to install the digester. She achieved average monthly cooking-gas savings of VND 250,000–300,000 and an end to the neighbours’ complaints.

After experiencing the benefits, Hang became an unpaid community volunteer. Whenever the commune or district organised energy-efficiency training, she encouraged neighbours to attend. She explained that she had previously viewed saving electricity mainly as a way to reduce bills. Training broadened her understanding to include petrol, diesel and cooking gas, and the role of careful energy use in conserving resources and reducing pollution.

Nguyen Thi Be, then aged 70 and living at the An Quang apartment complex in District 10, was known locally for encouraging residents across six blocks to save energy. After attending a course, she shared practical ideas about selecting and installing household equipment, using suitable refrigerator settings, limiting unnecessary door opening, allowing hot food to cool before refrigeration, choosing efficient lamps, ironing clothes in batches, maintaining air conditioners and limiting peak-period electricity use. She reported a significant reduction in her own household’s monthly electricity bill and encouraged others to take part.

Programme results during 2011–2015

During 2011–2015, the Government pursued measures to address energy-supply shortages and support sustainable development. These included encouraging investment in power generation, gradually moving coal, oil, electricity and gas prices towards market mechanisms, and restructuring the sector. Public organisations also promoted efficient energy use. Do Duc Quan, then Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Energy, reported that after nearly five years the programme had attracted 585 projects, provided energy labels for almost 10,000 product models in 14 target groups, and recognised more than 100 energy-efficient buildings. Initial support for 3,000 solar water-heating systems helped stimulate a wider market, with over 700,000 systems reportedly installed nationwide by that time.

In Ho Chi Minh City, reported electricity savings during 2011–2015 exceeded 2.2 billion kWh, equivalent to VND 3.7 trillion in avoided costs and nearly 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Huynh Kim Tuoc, then Director of the city’s Energy Conservation Centre, said that in 2015, 117 businesses established energy-consumption benchmarks and 952 implemented energy-saving measures. This business group alone reportedly saved more than 43.4 million kWh annually.

Policy and financial support

Tuoc described energy conservation as an essential part of green-growth strategy. He called for local-government policies supporting energy-saving programmes, renewable energy applications and broader participation. He also emphasised commitments by companies, corporate groups, cooperatives and infrastructure operators to implement energy-efficiency measures.

Nguyen Anh Vu, then Head of Community Relations at Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation, stressed the need for support policies as well as regular public communication and education. Suggested financial mechanisms included preferential loans and energy-service contracts, together with assistance for business energy audits, technology upgrades and replacement of old equipment with more efficient alternatives.

The article also called for mechanisms supporting solar power development and arrangements for purchasing surplus electricity exported to the grid by households with solar installations.