Experts have called for Vietnam, businesses and building operators to invest in energy-saving technology as power demand is growing strongly.

Electricity demand in Vietnam is projected to rise by at least 10% a year and increase to 615.2 billion kWh in 2030 from 169.8 billion kWh last year.

Axel Kalt, general director of ABB Vietnam, said at a press conference on an Electric & Power - Industrial Automation Vietnam 2016 exhibition in HCMC on Wednesday that Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) grows around 6% a year while energy demand expands over 10% per year, putting pressure on the energy sector.

The world’s average power transmission and distribution loss rate is 10%. Kalt said if Vietnam can reduce the loss rate by half, the country would be able to save 1,000 MW, equivalent to the capacity of a new power plant.

Efficient use of energy at buildings should be boosted as buildings consume up to 40% of total energy output in the world, according to the 2012 World Energy Outlook report of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Many investors have spent much on construction rather than operation so their energy costs are very high.

The Electric & Power - Industrial Automation Vietnam 2016 will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in HCMC's District 7 in three days starting from September 14, with 250 companies from 30 countries and territories attending. There will be six workshops on new technology and trends in the sector.

SGT