VietNamNet Bridge – A pilot project using low carbon emission light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs will light up 19 main downtown streets in Da Nang as the central coastal city prepares for the high-profile 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit.

Da Nang at night. The city plans to install a LED lighting system on many streets. — Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNS

Nearly 3,000 high-voltage bulbs – five per cent of the city’s total public lighting system – will be replaced by the LED public lighting system, beginning this September, and go operational in October.

The city has called for funding via the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model to install LED lighting system.

With the LED lighting system, Da Nang expects to save 1 million KWh per year – 12 per cent of its power consumption, by 2020.

Da Nang was selected as an APEC city for a Low-Carbon Model Town Project at the 44th APEC energy meeting in Washington DC back in 2012.

The city has also proposed battery-powered bikes, use of renewable energy; a metro system; and rapid bus transit as low carbon measures towards making Da Nang a green city by 2025.

It has already cut 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions through a pilot project and saved VND12 billion (US$570,000) in a power-saving pilot project between 2008-2011.

According to a report from the city’s industry and trade department, Da Nang has 51,000 high voltage bulbs along 1,200km of roads with total consumption of 6,800KWh –3.1 per cent of the city’s total power consumption.

The city is also using battery-powered cars to serve tourists in the coastal districts of Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son, Lien Chieu as well as at several beach resorts. 

VNS