The Hanoi People’s Committee has recently issued a plan to implement the National Program on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, as well as electricity demand-side management across the city in 2026, with the aim of ensuring energy security, reducing pressure on the power system during peak periods, contributing to environmental protection, and promoting sustainable growth.
Under the plan, Hanoi will continue to comprehensively implement energy efficiency and conservation measures across all sectors, including production, business, services, and residential consumption. The key focus is on enhancing electricity demand management and reducing peak load capacity of the city’s power system, particularly during hot summer months and the dry season.
The city targets an energy saving rate of 1.6% to 1.8% compared to forecasted demand, including a minimum saving of 2.2% of total electricity consumption in each electricity-consuming sector, namely: industry; commerce and services; construction; management and residential consumption; agriculture, forestry and fisheries; and other activities.
Key energy-consuming facilities with annual electricity consumption of 1 million kWh or more are required to achieve at least 3% annual electricity savings.
In the field of lighting, the city has set targets for public lighting systems, decorative lighting, and outdoor advertising lighting to reduce electricity consumption by at least 30%, while traffic lighting systems are required to save a minimum of 10%. In addition, 100% of newly installed public lighting systems must apply energy-efficient solutions.
According to the plan, in 2026 Hanoi will continue to promote the movement “Households Using Electricity Safely and Efficiently,” aiming to recognize 1,260 exemplary households at the city level and 6,300 exemplary households at the ward and commune levels. The city will also organize between 10 and 20 workshops to raise awareness and provide guidance on the use of energy-saving electrical appliances for households.
Hanoi has also set a target for 70% of schools to conduct communication and educational activities on energy efficiency and conservation. At the same time, the city will further promote the application of science and technology in energy management, pilot energy storage systems (BESS), enhance electricity load forecasting capacity, and support businesses in technological innovation, production line upgrades toward energy efficiency, and green transformation.
The Hanoi People’s Committee has assigned the Department of Industry and Trade as the lead agency, in coordination with relevant departments, sectors, Hanoi Power Corporation, and local authorities, to implement the plan; inspect and supervise its execution to ensure that energy efficiency and conservation measures are effectively realized, contributing to energy security and the sustainable socio-economic development of the capital.
According to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, during the 2021–2025 period, the city achieved total energy savings of 705.7 kTOE, equivalent to 8.26% of total energy demand—exceeding the target by 1.26%. This is an impressive result, given that Hanoi accounts for more than 10% of the nation’s total electricity consumption.
Hanoi has established a synchronized and unified system for managing and operating energy efficiency programs. Plans, guidelines, and support mechanisms for businesses and households have been issued in a timely manner, helping all sectors of society clearly recognize their responsibilities and proactively seek and apply appropriate energy-saving solutions. The energy conservation movement has spread from factories to households. One hundred percent of administrative offices across the city have implemented the “Green Office – Energy Saving” model, while in schools, hundreds of thousands of students are educated on energy efficiency and conservation as part of the curriculum.
In parallel, Hanoi has conducted energy audits at nearly 200 key energy-consuming facilities, enabling businesses to identify thousands of points of energy waste, thereby improving technologies, replacing equipment, and reducing electricity costs by 5–20% annually. In public lighting, hundreds of thousands of outdated sodium lamps have been replaced with energy-saving LED lights, combined with automated control systems, saving tens of millions of kilowatt-hours each year.
Hanoi places strong emphasis on communication and raising public awareness. Campaigns such as Earth Hour, “Energy Saving for a Green Future,” and “Energy-Saving Households” are organized regularly, attracting widespread public participation. During Earth Hour 2025 alone, Hanoi saved more than 204,000 kWh of electricity in just one hour—equivalent to the daily electricity consumption of over 5,000 households.
By Huu Phat – VNEEP
