LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs have many advantages, including efficiency, longer life expectancy, durability, safety and saving energy. LED technology emits white light at a low cost.
LED bulbs will be used in public works, roads and urban areas. The committee has also asked the municipal districts, the Department of Construction and the Department of Transportation to prioritise replacing the existing lower-quality street lighting systems with LED products. The agencies have been told not to use incandescent and halogen lamps in public lighting systems. The Department of Construction has also been asked to undertake the measures necessary to raise the efficiency of public lighting works.
The city pays VNĐ260 billion (US$11.66 million) to light the streets each year. LED lights are expected to reduce spending to VNĐ90-120 billion ($4-5.38 million). In 2015, Hà Nội saved some 325 million kWh of electricity thanks to the National Target Programme on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy. The city aims to cut energy consumption by 2-3 per cent this year compared to the demand forecast, to reach its goal of lowering the energy-to-GDP elasticity to 0.95 per cent by 2020 from 1.48 per cent last year.