Forum: 'Using energy economically and effectively: Achievements and goals in the era of growth'

On October 17, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Industry and Trade organized the Forum "Using energy economically and effectively: Achievements and goals in the era of growth".

Creating new momentum for a sustainable energy economy

The event aims to disseminate new information on the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, which was recently passed at the 9th Session of the 14th National Assembly in the Southern region and the whole country in general. The event is a testament to the sense of responsibility and initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in implementing the Law, contributing with the Government to realize the goal of building an efficient, sustainable and low-emission energy economy.

Attending the forum were representatives of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, leaders of departments, offices and functional agencies under the Ministry of Industry and Trade; central and local ministries and branches; specialized organizations and associations; domestic and international experts; leaders of energy corporations; universities, experts; and press agencies in the southern region.

The event was assigned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the Industry and Trade Newspaper and the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion to jointly organize.

Overview of the Forum "Using energy economically and effectively: Achievements and goals in the era of growth".

In the context of the global strong shift to a green and sustainable development model, Vietnam is not outside that trend. With a strong commitment at COP26 and strategic orientation from Resolution 55-NQ/TW of the Politburo, the issue of economical and efficient use of energy (EEE) is becoming a pillar in ensuring national energy security and promoting green growth.

As the focal point for energy, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been a pioneer in implementing the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy since 2010. Over the past 15 years, the Ministry has proactively coordinated to complete the legal framework (2 decrees, 16 circulars, 2 technical regulations and more than 50 sets of standards) as well as to develop and implement programs and action plans to implement the Law and the national program on economical and efficient use of energy with quite diverse contents covering energy efficiency standards; supporting enterprises in improving technology; organizing energy audits; communicating, educating and raising social awareness on energy saving and electricity saving.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also proactively supports energy-intensive industries such as cement, steel, textiles, and food processing to improve energy efficiency. At the same time, it develops the market for high-efficiency equipment and promotes widespread energy labeling for dozens of product lines.

Thanks to the promotion of communication and propaganda programs such as “Earth Hour”, “Family Saving Electricity” or the campaign “Energy Labeling for Energy-Consuming Equipment and Vehicles”, the spirit of saving electricity has been strongly spread to millions of people. More than 9,500 households installed rooftop solar power systems, 1,200 businesses conducted energy audits, and over 5,000 auditors and energy managers were trained and certified.

The forum “Using energy economically and effectively: Achievements and goals in the era of development” received great attention from experts, policymakers, businesses...

In particular, the energy labeling program has achieved many impressive results: Over 20,000 products have been labeled as high-efficiency, eliminating 45 million incandescent bulbs, helping to save about 100 million kWh of electricity/year, equivalent to the capacity of a 300 MW thermal power plant.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in the period 2011 - 2015, the whole country saved 11,261 KTOE of energy, equivalent to 5.65% of the total national energy consumption, contributing to reducing emissions of millions of tons of greenhouse gases. The period 2016 - 2020 helped the whole country save about 5.65% of total energy consumption, equivalent to billions of kWh of electricity. From 2020 to now, energy use programs continue to be promoted, especially electricity saving with the goal of achieving 2% of total commercial electricity output/year or more.

In her opening speech at the forum, Ms. Do Thi Minh Tram, Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade) emphasized: “ Energy is the lifeblood of the national economy. In the context of the world and Vietnam accelerating the transition to a green growth model and sustainable development, especially realizing the commitment at COP26, the development of clean, renewable energy and the use of energy economically and efficiently are important and urgent pillars .”

Ms. Do Thi Minh Tram, Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade) spoke at the forum.

According to Ms. Do Thi Minh Tram, Resolution 55-NQ/TW of the Politburo and the adjusted Power Plan VIII have set out the requirement that by 2030, Vietnam will need about 150,000 MW of power capacity, nearly double the current level, to meet the GDP growth rate of 8%/year. However, in the period of 2021 - 2024, energy supply will face many difficulties due to natural disasters, climate change, supply chain disruptions, high energy prices and slow progress in infrastructure investment.

Ms. Tram said that the demand for electricity in Vietnam increases by an average of 8-10% per year, while many factories still operate with old, energy-consuming technology. Although awareness of energy saving has improved, it is still not uniform, causing pressure on the national power system.

“ Therefore, using energy economically and efficiently is the key solution to cope with power shortages, ensure energy security, reduce emissions, lower production costs and improve the competitiveness of the economy ,” Ms. Tram emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Cuong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Industry and Trade Newspaper at the forum.

Towards a green future: The era of national growth

Vietnam has had nearly 15 years of implementing the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, achieving many positive results, but also revealing certain limitations. This amendment to the Law is not only a legal requirement, but also a new driving force for the green development phase, associated with the Net Zero target by 2050.

After a thorough research process, collecting opinions from businesses, experts and ministries, the draft amended Law was passed by the National Assembly on June 18, 2025, with many breakthroughs in both legal techniques and policy content.

The Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy includes 3 articles, 21 clauses, adjusting 19 articles and adding 1 new article, focusing on key policy groups:

Firstly , improve the effectiveness of state management: Using energy economically and efficiently is identified as a mandatory target in the socio-economic development plan of the country, province and city. Continue to decentralize, reform administration, simplify procedures to increase the effectiveness of state management, avoid overlap, and improve implementation at local levels. Localities must make plans and periodically report implementation results to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for synthesis and submission to the Government.

Second , developing energy service organizations: For the first time, the Law clearly defines the concept, conditions and operating model of energy service organizations (ESCOs), units providing consulting, investment, auditing and implementing energy saving contracts. This mechanism opens up a potential private energy service market, mobilizing social resources for green transformation.

Third , establishing a Fund to promote the use of energy economically and efficiently: A policy breakthrough is the establishment of a Fund to promote the use of energy economically and efficiently - a non-budgetary state financial fund, operating not for profit, with the function of mobilizing, lending, investing, and accepting trust to support energy saving projects. The Fund is socialized, financially independent, and does not increase costs for businesses.

Fourth , credit incentives and green financial instruments: The Government encourages businesses to invest in energy-saving technology, issue green bonds, receive green credit to transform technology, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and innovate.

Fifth , energy labeling for construction materials: Supplementing regulations on energy labeling for construction materials, a step forward in controlling energy consumption in the construction industry, helping to save electricity from design, production to construction use.

“ Through the revised Law and new policies, businesses and people will be given more favorable conditions to invest, innovate technology, and apply real energy-saving solutions, contributing to improving the competitiveness of the economy and building a green, modern, and sustainable Vietnam, ” Ms. Do Thi Minh Tram emphasized.

According to Ms. Tram, using energy economically and efficiently is not only the responsibility of the electricity sector or state management agencies, but also the common task of the whole society, from each family, each business to organizations and communities. The Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes that with the support of ministries, sectors, businesses and people, the movement to use energy economically will spread more strongly. From there, it will contribute to ensuring sustainable national energy security as well as implementing international commitments, confidently entering a new stage of development for Vietnam - the era of national development.

Through this forum, the Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes to widely disseminate new points of the revised Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy; Receive opinions and experiences from experts, businesses, organizations and the community to effectively implement the Law in practice; Continue to spread awareness of energy saving as an essential solution to ensure energy security and implement the "Net Zero" commitment by 2050.

The opinions at the forum also serve as a basis for the Ministry of Industry and Trade to synthesize, research, and soon issue sub-law documents guiding detailed implementation; Develop a mechanism to encourage businesses to invest in energy-saving technology; Promote extensive propaganda, innovate communication forms through competitions, forums, and community activities; Strengthen training of high-quality human resources for the energy auditing and consulting market; Monitor implementation in localities, creating clear changes from central to local levels for the goal of green development, circular economy, and sustainable energy security.

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Tags: energy saving, electricity saving, Ministry of Industry and Trade

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/su-dung-nang-luong-tiet-kiem-va-hieu-qua/dien-dan-su-dung-nang-luong-tiet-kiem-hieu-qua-thanh-qua-va-muc-tieu-trong-ky-nguyen-vuon-minh-.html