HCMC – HCMC has set a target of reducing the power consumption of its public lighting systems by 50% as part of its effort to conserve energy amid the heatwave-induced power use surge.
On May 10-11, the HCMC Power Corporation, in coordination with local authorities, conducted inspections in districts 1, 3, Binh Thanh, and Phu Nhuan, especially in areas with large advertising boards, electronic screens and public lighting systems along main streets.
Adjustments to the public lighting systems include delaying the lighting by 30 minutes and turning it off 30 minutes earlier than usual, shuttering half of the lighting systems along quieter streets and halving the advertising and decorative lighting systems after 10:00 p.m.
Several businesses and eateries have also taken steps to reduce unnecessary lighting, opting for smart bulbs and adjusting air conditioning usage.
A complete shutdown after 10:00 p.m. has been enforced on billboards and screens on busy streets such as Dong Khoi, Le Loi and Nguyen Hue.
The HCMC People’s Committee on April 26 issued a directive urging all departments and agencies to intensify efforts to save electricity and ensure stable power supply across the city.
From May 1 to June 30, the directive requires a 50% reduction or a shutdown of billboard and decorative lighting from 10:00 p.m. onwards.
The two-month-plus heatwave in Vietnam has led to an upsurge in power consumption for air conditioning and ventilation.
