Though Hanoi’s Chairman Nguyen The Thao has instructed government agencies based in the capital city and local people to save electricity in the dry season, many advertising boards are still bright at night.

The Chairman also asked relevant agencies to install automatic control systems to adjust street lights to fit seasons and traffic needs. Parks and flower gardens will have to cut down 50 percent of light at night, except for holidays.

The Chairman also called for local residents to use power economically, especially during the peak hours.

Restaurants and shops are instructed to reduce 50 percent of light for outdoor advertising boards in the evening and turn off the lights after 10 pm. Public light in residential areas are allowed to turn on from 6.30 pm to 5.30 am.

The Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN) warned early this year that Vietnam would face a power shortage of 3 billion kWh this year because of a lack of water in reservoirs.

The group said additional changes this year was expected to reach 117.6 billion kWh, an increase of 17.63 percent over last year.

Electricity demand in the dry season would be 18.3 percent higher than the same period last year, remaining at 56.14 billion kWh.

In an effort to ensure power supply, EVN has worked hard to produce and purchase 112.6 billion kWh, nearly 16 percent more than last year.

EVN has also called for businesses and families to use electricity economically.

Some photos of electricity waste in Hanoi:

A half of year after the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, the big electronic

board with a count-down clock which is based near Ba Kieu Temple still works 24/7.

Advertising pictures on this electronic board are very simple and monotonous.

To maintain this electronic board at work, two air-conditioners are installed on the back.

At night, light at the Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Opera House, and King Ly Thai To monument is reduced to minimum.

However, the giant electronic board repeatedly screens pictures of Hanoi’s old quarters and Thang Long royal citadel.

On many streets, electronic boards advertising Hanoi’s 1000^th anniversary in 2010 still shine.

Advertising boards along Xa Dan Street…

… and Nguyen Trai Street at 10.30 pm.

Many entertainment centers….

… or restaurants also use power uneconomically this way.

At Cat Linh – Giang Vo intersection, two big advertising boards shine in the darkness.

Nguyen Luong Bang street at 10.30 pm.

At the same time, a huge bulb advertising electricity save still shines.

On Nguyen Trai road, at 11 pm, many billboards still shine.

At 10.20 pm, decoration lights are still bright at the Parkson shopping center on Tay Son Street…

….. though, the center was close.

This company (on Hue city street) closed but the board was still bright at night.

Source: VNE