VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City administration has instructed the Department of Transport to install LED lights in public places and schools on a trial basis to reduce power consumption.

LED lights installed around Ben Thanh Market in HCM City. — Photo: tuoitre.vn

Tran Vinh Tuyen, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee, ordered the department to work with relevant agencies to identify streets, parks and other public places to install them.

It will also do so at schools when the new academic year begins next month.

The department is responsible for the quality of the lights, and has to report the results to the People’s Committee.

It had earlier recommended the replacement of all existing sodium vapour lights in public places with LED lights to reduce energy consumption.

The cost of changing all the lights in the city is estimated at VND1.3 trillion (US$57 million).

The city now uses mostly 1.2-metre tube lights and compact lights, which are not energy-efficient.

They consume over 162 million kWh a year, costing the city VND130 billion ($5.7 million), according to the Energy Conservation Centre.

Replacing them with LED lights will save 55.3 million kWh a year, the centre said.

The Department of Industry and Trade has suggested an alternative plan: either people’s committees of districts could carry out the replacement work or the cost could be shared by the public and businesses along with the city.     

It also wants the change tested first in District 5 before being expanded city-wide if successful.

VNS