According to statistics, the steel industry currently accounts for 9.43% of the total energy consumption of the entire processing and manufacturing sector. Of this, electricity makes up around 50%, coal 36%, and the remainder consists of natural gas, oil, and LPG. The processes with the highest energy consumption in steel production include ironmaking, steelmaking, rolling, and the operation of auxiliary systems such as compressed air, ventilation, and furnaces. However, the industry’s energy-saving potential is estimated at up to 20% if enterprises apply a comprehensive combination of advanced technical and energy management solutions.

In recent years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has worked closely with steel enterprises to conduct energy audits, develop energy management systems, and provide technical support to improve energy performance. Many energy efficiency technology models have been implemented and scaled up, delivering clear economic benefits.

Among the pioneering enterprises, Hoa Phat Group stands out as a model example of energy efficiency and sustainable development. At the Hoa Phat Dung Quat Iron and Steel Complex, the company has invested in a waste heat and by-product gas recovery system from the coke production and ironmaking processes to generate electricity, meeting most of its internal power demand and significantly reducing CO₂ emissions.

Mr. Ngo Van Cuong, from the Technical Department of Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel Joint Stock Company, shared: “To reduce electricity consumption from the national grid, the company uses waste heat and gases from the coke ovens and blast furnaces to generate electricity. The waste heat and gas recovered from coke and iron production are reused for power generation, supplying energy for manufacturing. This solution meets about 80% of the total electricity demand of the entire complex.”

In addition to heat recovery for power generation, Hoa Phat has also invested in gas and dust recovery systems and cooling water recirculation in its steelmaking lines, helping to optimize energy use, reduce emissions, and save thousands of billions of VND in annual costs.

Alongside Hoa Phat, Vietnam–Singapore Steel Co., Ltd. (NatSteelVina) is another enterprise achieving high energy efficiency. According to its energy audit results, the company’s energy consumption level is 0.4% lower than the average benchmark of the steel industry. To achieve this, the company has invested in equipment upgrades and optimized operations. The measures implemented include replacing fans and motors with high-efficiency models, installing inverters for compressed air systems and high-power devices, and significantly reducing power losses during production.

In addition, Viet–Sing Steel continuously monitors and strictly controls its energy use, conducting regular energy audits to promptly identify and adjust inefficient processes. These measures not only reduce operating costs but also improve energy efficiency and protect the environment.

Energy efficiency brings not only economic benefits but also serves as a key driver of the green transition for Vietnam’s steel sector. Many enterprises are investing in advanced electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, utilizing renewable energy, recovering waste heat, and implementing ISO 50001 energy management systems to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions.

According to the National Energy Efficiency Program (VNEEP3) for the period 2019–2030, the steel industry aims to reduce average energy consumption by 5–16.5% by 2030, depending on product type and technology. This represents a crucial step in helping Vietnam achieve its national target of net-zero emissions by 2050.