VietNamNet Bridge – The government has warned that Vietnam’s energy future is at risk, even though demand is lower than in developed countries.

A report by the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) shows that while demand for energy to develop the economy remains high, the primary energy sources are diminishing in volume. Vietnam is seriously lacking power sources despite modest consumption compared with other countries.

In 2014, Vietnam consumed 1,500 kwh of electricity, higher than the average Asian level, but it was only equal to half of the world’s level.

The equivalent oil used was only equal to 20 percent of the world’s.

The world’s oil reserves are only big enough for 53-year use. The reserves do not include schist. However, the schist reserves are not large, while it is, by nature, also a kind of fossil energy.

The gas reserves are believed to be enough for 70-year use, and uranium for 73 years.

The coal reserves were initially thought to be enough for 200 years. However, the figure is now inaccurate, as countries are discussing how to control emissions.

In Vietnam, the proportion of coal used has been increasing steadily, while hydropower and other types of energy are on the decrease.

This explains the increase in other kinds of energy. Coal-run plants alone are expected to produce 400 million tons of CO2 by 2030.

At present, the emission rate per head is below 4.5 tons of CO2, lower than the world’s average level.

At present, Vietnam is not listed among the countries which must cut emissions within the framework of the Kyoto Convention.

However, it may be named on the list soon because it lacks the capacity to reduce emissions.

Oil and gas reserves are estimated at 3.8-4 billion tons of equivalent oil. Of this, only 1-1.1 billion tons have been confirmed.

In 2014, Vietnam for the first time exploited 1.84 million tons of oil in other countries and brought this to Vietnam.

The figure is planned to rise to 5-7 million tons to satisfy domestic supply and make up for shortages.

As for gas, the average output is 14-15 billion cubic meters per year. In the past, the figure was estimated at 20 billion cubic meters, but scientists later said the figure was unrealistic. There has been no new information from geologists.

To date, only one percent of gas has been exploited on an area of 1 million square meters of continental shore.

Hydropower, in theory, can provide 300 billion kwh, but in fact, only 80-82 billion kwh can be exploited. Meanwhile, it not only brings high economic benefits but also negative effects.

Thien Nhien