Encourage the use of solar power
According to statistics, currently there are about 4 billion people living in cities worldwide, in the next 20 years, this number will exceed 6 billion. The problem for developed cities is that with the increasing trend of globalization and urbanization, how to balance development with resource scarcity and environmental pollution issues.
In order to solve the above problem, in recent time, besides economic development, Binh Duong has always paid attention to environmental protection solutions. Oriented investment attraction in the province is focusing on industries less labor-intensive, creating high added value and environmental friendliness. According to experts, the average number of sunshine hours in the year of Binh Duong is from 2,200 - 2,800 hours, with the annual average amount of solar radiation at about 4.5 kWh/ m2/ day. Besides, with existing infrastructure and the process of building a smart city, solar power will be the optimal source of energy in the present condition if assessing the level of pollution, utilities and sustainability in Binh Duong. Therefore, Binh Duong is assessed to have potential to develop solar power in the Southern region particularly and the country generally.
Encourage the use of solar power
Binh Duong currently has more than 36,400 domestic enterprises with a total registered capital of nearly 300 trillion dong and more than 3,612 foreign investment projects (FDI) with a total capital of over USD 33 billion. The province is considered as one of the leading localities in the country in attracting FDI. This means that the growing number of factories and companies, as well as immigrants from all over the world comes to live and work, the investment in developing and using solar power becomes more necessary.
According to Mr. Phan Thanh Lam - Deputy Director of Binh Duong Electricity, in the current context, in order to reduce the pressure on electricity Binh Duong Electricity encourages residents and businesses to install rooftop solar power systems that can both reduce electricity costs, and can resell surplus electricity to the electricity industry and protect the environment.
Recently, at the seminar "Rooftop solar power - Solution of using electricity economically and effectively" was held in Binh Duong, Binh Duong Electricity has provided businesses and people useful information to promote the development of solar power projects such as: Introducing of related policies; guiding grid connection procedures; mechanism of trading electricity from solar power system; Sharing experience from real projects etc.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Director of Binh Duong Department of Industry and Trade, in addition to technical issues, factor of solar power price is also creating barriers for investors to develop solar power in Binh Duong particularly and the country generally. Therefore, Department of Industry and Trade wishes the Government continue to have price mechanisms to attract and encourage businesses to participate in solar power projects.
In recent years, Binh Duong has strongly encouraged investors to develop solar power on the basis of ensuring economic benefits and maintaining local security and safety.
Grasping the benefits of solar power, AB InBev Company (Belgium) has started installing solar power for the factory in Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park II-A. According to AB InBev's calculations, this investment will help the company produce 840,600 kWh/ year, accounting for about 20% of the total electricity output that the company is using each year. It is expected that the company will continue to invest in this solar system at the factory in My Phuoc 2 Industrial Park.
Mr. Jan Craps - CEO and President of Asia Pacific region of AB InBev Company said, the use of solar power at a brewery in VSIP II-A Industrial Park is a significant breakthrough in the progress towards ensuring 100% of the electricity supplied to the plant is converted from heat by 2025. We would like to apply this technique to all breweries in Vietnam in the future.
Applying modern technology of Singapore
Singapore is a typical country in developing green and clean energy. To achieve such results, Singapore has actively encouraged the development of clean energy such as solar and wind power.
In 2016, Singapore announced over USD $700 million in funding for public sector research and development (R&D) activities for five years in order to find solutions for sustainable urban development. Currently, Singapore is experimenting with building solar power plants in urban areas and floating solar power stations on reservoirs.
At the same time, to promote solar power projects, Singapore provides competitive tariffs and prioritizes the development of a competitive electricity trading market. Accordingly, all consumers, including households, will have the right to choose their own electricity supplier.
From Singapore's experience in developing solar power, recently, a joint venture between the Member Company of Sembcorp Industries (Singapore) and Becamex IDC Corporation and VSIP has started to implement solar power projects in Vietnam, in order to bring urban energy solutions to industrial parks, Industrial Complexes, Industrial, Urban and Service Complex, contribute to promoting economic growth and social change towards green and sustainable. These solutions, along with the modern master plans help integrate the elements of work, live, play and study for the suburban area, meet the increasingly needs of our customers.
Mr. Ang Kong Hua - Chairman of Sembcorp Group said, these urban energy solutions include the design, installation and operation of solar panels on the roofs of factories in industrial zones, to absorb green energy for daily production activities. When connected to a storage battery system using intelligent data analysis software, optimal energy usage will be achieved.
Singapore's modern technology for solar power will be applied in Vietnam
"Other solutions such as turning waste into energy, treating and regenerating water will enhance energy independence in our integrated projects. The introduction of intelligent cooling systems will also support the energy and cooling needs of specialized industries. These energy devices will be managed by a modern energy management system, using predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to manage supply and demand, provide optimal energy solutions for industrial zones. Focusing on creating a more efficient 21st-century smart city model, all solutions are designed to help urban areas solve challenges, develop sustainably and improve the quality of people life "- Mr. Ang Kong Hua emphasized.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Becamex IDC Corporation, Co-Chairman of VSIP Group said: "We want to ensure that Becamex and VSIP complex projects will continue towards long-term investment projects. Environmentally friendly factors that enhance the sustainability of the project will maximize the overall value of the economy; bring more benefits and a healthier living environment to the communities around our projects. This is a step in line with the general orientation of the province in developing a smart city model".
Mr. Hung said, Becamex IDC is always determined to improve infrastructure and utilities with the province, in order to improve the service quality for investors, contributing to creating a sustainable investment environment, continuing to spread its influence on investment attraction and economic development nationwide. With the goal of sustainable development and optimal customer service, the joint venture will continue to research, develop and launch more projects that take advantage of the strength of modern green energy solutions from Singapore and infrastructure development along with customer base available in Vietnam.
Rooftop solar power is installed at the Office building of VSIP I (Thuan An Town)
A small scale rooftop solar power project with a capacity of 51KWp has been implemented at the Office building of VSIP I (Thuan An Town), including more than 130 solar panels. The solar panels installed here are expected to provide renewable energy and reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the building.