Vietnam warned over possible imbalance in electricity supply   While Vietnam exports energy, the country may face a serious power shortage in the next decades due to energy squandering and rising demand, experts warned.   Experts having a look at energy-saving equipment Several energy experts discussed solutions to challenges to energy producers and sustainable development in Vietnam and in the world during an international exhibition on green, efficient energy, held in HCM City on October 25. Currently demand for power is on the rise as a result of fast population growth and socio-economic development. Lately, hydroelectricity development has saturated with a high-density of hydropower dams on major river systems. However only a few renewable energy sources have been developed in the country due to higher costs. Energy experts estimated that the global energy demand would increase by 50% by the year 2050 and this would result in an imbalance of electricity supply and demand. Vietnam’s energy demand is forecast to increase 15 fold during that same period. This means that the country may face power shortages in the future if it fails to issue sustainable energy development policies. Cu Huy Quang, an expert in energy-saving from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Energy General Department, predicted, “There would be a possible imbalance in energy supply and demand by 2020. By 2030, it’s highly likely that Vietnam will turn from an energy exporter to an energy importer." He emphasised the necessity to work out smarter solutions to efficient energy management, especially in places with rapid urbanisation. It’s also important to improve awareness of saving energy, he said. Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Director of the MoIT’s Department of Science, Technology and Energy Saving, said the lack of enough attention to energy efficiency would put pressure on the economy and worsen climate change and pollution. By Cong Quang | dtinews.vn