Energy audits in Vietnam's textile, garment and mechanical-engineering businesses

Archived article. Job titles, figures and savings describe the cases at the original publication date and are not performance guarantees for other facilities.

Energy saving at Nam Dinh Textile and Garment

Textile and garment manufacturing offers considerable opportunities to save energy, particularly by improving production-equipment efficiency and lighting. The article highlighted Nam Dinh Textile and Garment Corporation as an early example: findings from energy audits were followed by practical improvement programmes.

According to the original report, the textile company within Nam Dinh Textile and Garment Corporation invested nearly VND 2.7 billion following recommendations in an energy-audit report. Measures included energy-saving devices for sewing machines at garment factories 2, 3 and 4, and variable-speed drives for winding machines, compressed-air systems, ring-spinning and roving machines. The reported results were a 15% reduction in electricity at the garment factories and a 20% reduction for winding and compressed-air equipment, together with stable and safe operation of the electrical network and equipment.

Measures at Hai Duong Garment Enterprise

Hai Duong Industrial Garment Enterprise in Hai Duong Commune, Hai Hau District, was another example. It participated in an energy-efficiency and environmental-protection programme funded by the European Commission's SWITCH-Asia programme and implemented measures throughout production. The measures described in the report included:

•   Workshops and offices made maximum use of natural light. T8 fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts and LED task lights at specialised sewing machines were installed. Separate switches allowed unused areas to be switched off, and the lighting system was checked regularly.
•  The enterprise selected boiler capacity to match steam demand for ironing, recovered boiler heat for staff meal preparation, installed steam traps and condensate recovery, and insulated steam pipes. It also invested in efficient cutting and sewing machines suited to its operations, improving productivity and product quality. Ventilation and workshop cooling incorporated variable-speed drives. Organisational measures included energy-saving rules and policies, communication and instructions for employees, allocation of production costs to teams and lines, and recognition for groups and individuals using energy effectively.

The Nam Ha Mechanical and Trading case

In mechanical engineering, Nam Ha Mechanical and Trading Joint Stock Company at Nghia Son Industrial Cluster, Nghia Hung District, was described as a business moving from construction-steel installation and building work into industrial shoe-toe-cap processing. Following consulting and energy audits, it adjusted or replaced inefficient equipment, installed ventilation, opened additional daylighting windows, replaced lighting with efficient lamps, lowered fixtures and increased task lighting. Variable-speed drives allowed motor operation to match demand rather than remain at rated output, reducing electricity and equipment operating and maintenance costs. The original report attributed a 40% reduction in electricity consumption to the combined audit programme and equipment improvements, lowering production and product costs.

From audit findings to implementation

Although these examples illustrated the benefits of reducing waste and applying energy-saving measures, the article reported limited participation in energy audits. It called for greater communication and encouragement from the relevant authorities, together with business investment in implementing the recommendations.