Delegates at the meeting. — VNA/VNS Photo

CẦN THƠ — A field review of the Voluntary Agreement Scheme (VAS) in the Mekong Delta was held on Friday, highlighting efforts of Việt Nam and Denmark to advance the green transition and improve industrial energy efficiency under the Vietnam–Denmark Energy Partnership Programme (DEPP3) in the 2020–25 period. 

Amid Việt Nam’s push to meet its greenhouse gas reduction commitments, DEPP3 has emerged as a key lever, providing technical and policy support through VAS. The practical model of cooperation between government agencies and businesses encouraged voluntary emissions reductions, helping enterprises transition to energy-efficient production and contribute to national energy security.

Case studies from Tây Đô Steel Co., Ltd. and NTSF Seafoods JSC highlighted measurable improvements in cost optimisation and carbon reduction.

At Tây Đô Steel Co., Ltd, one of the region’s largest electricity consumers with monthly usage of around 15,000 MWh, energy efficiency has become a strategic priority. With technical support from DEPP3/VAS, the company invested in advanced Q91-125000 cutting and PSX-1500 shredding systems. These upgrades have increased material density and shortened the melting time from 106 minutes to 90 minutes.

The improvements are expected to save approximately 5.2 million kWh of electricity and reduce 3,451 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The company is also installing a 2 MWp rooftop solar system and electrifying its forklift fleet, targeting a 9 per cent reduction in energy consumption by 2026.

Similarly, NTSF Seafoods JSC, a major exporter of Tra fish and shrimp in Cần Thơ city, has leveraged VAS support to modernise its processing operations. The firm replaced a decades-old piston compressor system with a high-efficiency screw compressor integrated with variable speed drives at its largest workshop.

According to Deputy Director of NTSF Seafoods JSC Phạm Bảo Quốc, after upgrading half of its freezing system, electricity consumption fell by 10–12 per cent.

These changes are expected to save around VNĐ1.7 billion (US$64,500) annually in operating costs while improving workplace conditions by reducing noise levels.

Funded by non-refundable ODA from the Danish Government, DEPP3 aims to help Việt Nam develop a low-carbon development roadmap for its energy sector aligned with the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

According to Nethe Veje Laursen, Energy Counsellor at the Danish Embassy in Việt Nam, energy efficiency not only lowers costs and boosts productivity for businesses but also plays a crucial role in ensuring national energy security.

The programme focuses on three pillars - strengthening long-term energy planning capacity, improving the regulatory framework to integrate renewable energy, and promoting industrial energy efficiency through incentive mechanisms. VAS is a flagship cooperation model between state management agencies and businesses, aimed at promoting voluntary efforts to reduce emissions.

To date, VAS has supported 21 enterprises across key sectors, including steel, textiles, seafood, paper, thermal power, and fertiliser. A total of 236 energy efficiency projects have been implemented, with estimated annual savings of about 315.1 GWh and emissions reductions of 134,651 tonnes of CO₂. If scaled up, these solutions could generate energy cost savings of up to US$6 million, with an average payback period of just over three years.

Beyond technological support, DEPP3 also invests in human capacity. The programme has trained around 55 certified energy auditors and over 95 technical staff in conformity with international standards under the guidance of Danish experts.

According to Hoàn Văn Tâm from the Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industry Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, sharing success stories from pioneering firms will help shift businesses from symbolic actions to genuine, self-driven energy-saving practices. The results achieved under DEPP3 underscore the value of international cooperation in advancing Việt Nam’s sustainable development and emissions reduction goals. — VNA/VNS