Monday, 10/03/2025 | 04:43
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Consultation on Amendments of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Conservation in the Northern Region
15:49 - 05/03/2025
On the morning of March 5, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade organized the consultation conference on the amendment of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Conservation for Northern Vietnam.
This conference plays a crucial role in gathering in-depth opinions from regulatory agencies, experts, businesses, and stakeholders, aiming to improve the legal framework and promote sustainable energy use in Vietnam.
Attendees included representatives from the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment; the Ministry of Industry and Trade; the Departments of Industry and Trade of northern provinces; representatives from major corporations such as Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Petrovietnam (PVN), and Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin); energy conservation centers; industrial promotion and development consulting centers under provincial Departments of Industry and Trade; as well as organizations and individuals working in the field of energy efficiency and conservation.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang, Director General of Innovation, Green Transition, and Industrial Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade), delivers the opening speech.
In the opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang stated that the Law on Energy Efficiency and Conservation (Law on ECC) has been in effect since January 1, 2011. After 15 years of implementation, several limitations have emerged, requiring a review and amendments to certain provisions of the Law and related legislation to address newly arising socio-economic realities, particularly in energy consumption across industrial sectors.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade recognizes the necessity of amending and supplementing the current Law on ECC to further institutionalize the policies and guidelines of the Government, address practical domestic challenges, align with international legal frameworks and best practices, and enhance state management efficiency. The amendments aim to eliminate obstacles, create a more favorable legal environment, strengthen incentive mechanisms, and promote energy efficiency. Additionally, they seek to leverage international resources to support and accelerate investments in energy-saving initiatives and transition the market towards more energy-efficient products.
"In accordance with the legislative process, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has established a Drafting Committee and an Editorial Team for the amendment of the Law. The second draft, along with the Explanatory Report, has been discussed internally and shared widely for feedback through official documents sent to relevant agencies and via the Government and Ministry of Industry and Trade’s online portals," Mrs. Giang stated.
The conference aims to collect opinions from management agencies, experts, businesses and stakeholders, towards perfecting the legal framework and promoting sustainable energy use in Vietnam.
Mr. Nguyen Hong Viet, Deputy Head of the Energy Management Division, Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, highlighted that Hanoi has implemented decentralized training and certification programs for energy managers and energy auditors. However, the number of training programs remains insufficient to meet the growing demand. Additionally, while the city has carried out inspections on energy labeling compliance, challenges remain due to the vast number of products requiring energy labels. He suggested that the amended Law should provide more support for processing applications and monitoring businesses’ compliance with energy labeling requirements.
Mr. Nguyen Hong Viet - Deputy Head of Energy Management Department, Hanoi Industry and Trade Department shared about decentralization to localities in implementing energy saving and efficiency activities.
"The Ministry of Industry and Trade needs to consider decentralization and delegation of authority to localities to train and certify energy managers and energy auditors and receive registration dossiers, inspect and supervise energy labeling. In addition, it is necessary to regularly update textbooks and lectures, supplement advanced and continuous knowledge on energy saving and efficiency; consider regulations on the validity of certificates to encourage energy managers and auditors to focus on updating and supplementing knowledge in the energy sector; support businesses in implementing energy efficiency improvement; expand the subjects and scope of participation in training programs and professional training courses at home and abroad organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade", Representative of Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade proposed.
Mr. Tran Viet Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Business Department at Vietnam Electricity (EVN) shares his aspect at the meeting.
Mr. Tran Viet Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Business Department at Vietnam Electricity (EVN), proposed that the amended Law should formally define the Energy Service Company (ESCO) model, establish legal mechanisms to support ESCO operations, and create incentives to accelerate the growth of the energy service market in Vietnam.
Mr. Dao Sy Thanh, Former Director of the Hai Phong Energy Saving Center, noted that businesses have a strong demand for energy efficiency solutions, yet energy service providers in Vietnam still lack the necessary expertise. To enhance energy efficiency, he stressed the importance of a clear legal framework for ESCOs, as well as financial, human resource, and technological support to help these companies thrive.
At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, an energy expert, shared insights into the implementation of the pilot Voluntary Agreement Scheme (VAS) on energy efficiency in Vietnam, conducted under the Vietnam-Denmark Energy Partnership Program (DEPP3) for the 2020–2025 period.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Energy Expert.
The consultation session received numerous valuable contributions on policies, mechanisms, and the draft amendment to the Law on ECC.
A representative from the Institute of Construction Science and Technology under the Ministry of Construction suggested that, in addition to energy labeling for building materials, the amended Law should introduce energy labeling for energy-intensive buildings, such as data centers. Furthermore, policies should provide stronger incentives for green and energy-efficient buildings.
Regarding energy-saving measures for data centers, Mr. Vo Quang Lam, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), emphasized that Vietnam should prioritize data centers serving domestic needs. He expressed concerns that foreign enterprises building data centers in Vietnam consume large amounts of energy while generating limited economic value for the country.
The insights and recommendations gathered during the conference will be reviewed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to refine the draft Law, ensuring its feasibility, effectiveness, and alignment with the nation’s development priorities.
Key Focus Areas of the Law Amendment The proposed amendment aims to revise 16 out of 48 articles in the 2010 Law on UEEC. Four key policy groups will undergo extensive consultation and revision: (i) Enhancing State Management Effectiveness in energy efficiency and conservation; (ii) Regulating and Promoting Energy Services, including consultancy, energy audits, and professional training in energy efficiency; (iii) Establishing Incentives and Financial Support Mechanisms for energy efficiency initiatives; (iv) Transitioning the Market and Strengthening Performance Standards for energy-consuming equipment and devices. The revised Law on ECC is scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee in March 2025. |
Agency of Innovation, Green Transition, and Industrial Promotion.
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