HCM CITY – Việt Nam is going through a construction boom, with apartment and office buildings mushrooming, and energy efficiency is imperative, Nguyễn Công Thịnh, head of the Ministry of Construction’s science, technology and environment department, told a seminar in HCM City yesterday. 

“The ministry would like to build a complete legal framework to support energy saving in buildings. “That is a task we must accomplish for green construction and the economy,” he added.

A project called “Energy Efficiency Improvement in Commercial and High-Rise Residential Builidings in Việt Nam” has been rolled out by the ministry for 2016 -19 under the sponsorship of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The US$3.2 million project aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions over the long run, will review and seek better energy-saving methods and create a framework for the task.

“We will try to improve the ability to design, construct and operate energy-efficient commercial and apartment buildings around the country,” Đinh Chính Lợi, the project co-ordinator, said.

In the first stage the project will study energy consumption in 100 commercial and apartment buildings in the country.

Based on that, a legal framework will be created along with a financial support system, and then centres for Energy and Energy Efficiency Business (CEEB) will follow.

“We plan to build 16 energy-efficient buildings in the next five years,” Lợi said.

A representative of the Energy Conservation Centre in HCM City said electricity consumption in buildings would reduce by 14 – 36 per cent if they follow new criteria.

“With an addition of 1 – 4 per cent to construction cost, offices, hospitals, schools, apartments, trade complexes and hotels can reduce their energy consumption by 14 – 36 per cent and recoup the additional investment in one to five years.”

He said new buildings should pay attention to construction materials, air conditioning and ventilation systems, lighting, elevators, automatic power cut-off, and hot water system.

To reduce heat from outside, light concrete bricks and 3D partition should be encouraged and creepers should be grown.

Heatproof film should be stuck on glass windows and corrugated roofs, he said.

“Ventilation should be designed using natural breezes and automatic timers should be used for air conditioning, ventilation and pumping systems.”

The lightning system should take advantage of natural light, and all lamps should be new-generation energy-saving ones, he said.

Solar energy for heating water is a good solution, he said.

“Energy savings would be 20 – 35 per cent in office buildings and 15 – 25 per cent in malls and hotels.”

Also at the seminar, partly private company Việt Energy Consultant and Investment Corporation (Viet ESCO) offered financial support for those looking for energy-saving solutions.

“We will provide comprehensive energy saving solutions through contracts,” Diệp Thế Cường, its director, said.

The customers do not need to invest in any technology or equipment, and merely have to pay the company a part of the savings achieved through its solutions.

“They will have the right to keep all the equipment after the contract finishes,” Cường said.

He also offered two other kinds of contracts that would see Việt ESCO buy energy during non-peak hours and sell to customers during peak hours

“Or we can sign an energy savings guarantee contract with customers. Việt ESCO will be responsible to ensure the saving is achieved,” — VNS