HỘI AN — The ancient city of Hội An, aided by its twin town, Wernigerode, in Germany, has launched a solar-power system for public lighting, loud-speakers and lanterns in the old quarter of the city.

The city said the roof-top solar power, which was built with 135,000 euro (nearly US$150,000), most of it donated by the German government, aimed to supply 55 kilowatts per hour (kWh) for a public lighting system, lanterns, decorations, street and folk performances, the Japanese Bridge and public loudspeaker system.

The system, which includes 172 solar panels and batteries, was designed to link up with the city’s power grid for future expansion.

The city said the installation of renewable energy would promote the use of environmentally friendly power from wind, solar and water.

To celebrate the launch, a German Beer festival is being held at An Hội Sculpture Park on the Hoài River bank until Sunday.

German singer Rainer Hochmuth and Webster Band played at the festival on Wednesday.

In 2013, the UNESCO-recognised world heritage city in co-operation with UNESCO and the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) also debuted a solar power system at Hoài River Square and Chàm Island.

In 2016, Hội An, and Naha City, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, agreed to develop Hội An into the first eco-city in Việt Nam.

The city became the first locality in the country to host a Car Free Day. It has also been praised for its efforts to ban plastic bags and for its 3R (reduce, re-use and recycle) programme.

The city also hopes to encourage the use of  100,000 bicycles among residents.

Since 2002, Hội An has earmarked several streets for pedestrian and non-engined vehicles to reduce noise and pollution in the Old Quarter. Now, most foreign tourists use bicycles to tour the city, beaches and villages.

Covering an area of 60sq.km, the tourism hub has now has 22.5sq.km covered with farms and forests and 11sq.km filled with lakes and channels. — VNS