The Development of Renewable Energy in Vietnam

The Development of Renewable Energy in Vietnam

On June 15th, 2020, at the National Assembly’s socio-economic discussion session, the Ministry of Industry and Trade clarified a number of issues related to the implementation of power projects and energy security in Vietnam amid the the situation of energy supply, especially electricity supply is facing many difficulties when hydroelectric and thermal power reserves are almost fully exploited and the risk of energy import is increasing.

Vietnam has the advantage of being an equatorial country, with high annual sunshine hours (average from 1800-2600 hours/year) which is an advantage to develop solar energy. Vietnam has a long coastline (3260 km) and favorable terrain, the construction of wind power stations is a solution that can help improve Vietnam’s electricity output in the next years.

As reported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, for solar power, the total planned capacity of about 10,300 MW has been operated on 90 solar power projects with a total capacity of about 5,000 MW. For wind power, as proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Prime Minister has agreed to supplement the planning of an additional 7,000 MW of wind power, raising the total scale of wind power capacity planned to 11,630 MW.

In addition, according to Vietnam’s commitment at COP21, Vietnam will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 8% by 2030. And with effective support from the international community, Vietnam can cut its emissions by 25% greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. And the Clean energy technology is one of the best solutions to fulfill this commitment.

In addition, the installation, operation and maintenance of wind and solar power systems are relatively simple, at low cost therefore will save time and cost for investors. Besides, clean energy does not cause impacts on large-scale migration environment, such as deforestation, emissions of dust, water and ash, etc. In contrast, it also creates beautiful and majestic landscapes, and attractive to visitors, this is in line with Vietnam’s sustainable development goals in the future.

With economic and environmental advantages, the scientists forecast that, in the world to 2040 and 2050, the percentage of solar power capacity in total generating capacity will be 45% and 50 %; The structure of electricity production by 2050 is as follows: Number 1 is solar power: 35.8%; followed by onshore wind power: 24.3%; Offshore wind power: 12.1%; Hydroelectricity: 12.4% and the rest are other sources of renewable energy and fossils and nuclear: 15.4%.

In order to ensure the implementation of the overall plan for the coming time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is focusing on speeding up the construction of the electricity Planning No. VIII to submit to the Government in the fourth quarter of 2020. In particular, following the contents of the Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW of the Politburo on “Vietnam’s national energy development strategy orientation to 2030, vision to 2045” on February 11th, 2020, according to which ratio of sources of renewable energy in the total primary energy supply will reach about 15-20% by 2030; 25-30% by 2045.

According to Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW, Vietnam will develop breakthrough mechanisms and policies to encourage and promote the renewable energy sources in order to replace fossil energy sources at maximum. Prioritizing the use of wind and solar energy for electricity generation; encourage investment in building power plants using urban waste, biomass and solid waste in parallel with environmental protection and economic development of the circulation. To establish and develop a number of renewable energy centers in advantageous regions and localities. Then researching and assessing the overall potential and developing development orientations for geothermal energy, ocean waves, tides and ocean currents; deploy a number of application models, conduct pilot tests to evaluate the effectiveness. To undertake technological research, formulate a number of production pilot projects and encourage the use of hydrogen energy in line with the general trend of the world. In addition, the Resolution prioritizes the development of renewable energy in line with the ability to ensure system safety with reasonable electricity costs and encourage the development of rooftop and surface solar power. To develop groundbreaking support policies and mechanisms for offshore wind power development in association with the implementation of the Vietnam’s Sea Strategy.

With advantages and priority policies for renewable energy development as above, Vietnam hopes that more international investors will invest and set up company in Viet Nam in renewable energy.

Read More

Taste of US investors

Renewable energy, high technology industries, supporting industries… are areas that are interested by US investors when they come to set up company in Vietnam.

One of the “hot” issues that US businesses and investors interested in is the issue of cooperation and investment in the field of renewable energy. According to Mr Freb Burke from Baker & McKenzie, renewable energy is currently the most attractive investment area. Vietnam will avoid the construction of thermal power plants when moving to invest in wind and solar power plants.

In addition, many multinational corporations have strict environmental standards and they want these standards to be applied globally. Manufacturers also want to produce consumer goods using clean energy. For example, Apple is making a commitment to achieve 100% clean energy in their global supply chain. Hence, if Vietnam wants to attract investors like Apple, Vietnam should produce enough renewable energy to meet their needs.

According to Mr Burke’s explanation, renewable energy secures energy and environment security for Vietnam, helping Vietnam tap its potential and export energy. Renewable power plants attract the interest of US businesses like First Solar and GE. Furthermore, Vietnam has just raised its electricity purchase price to 9.35 UScent per kWh. This is a relatively attractive price for foreign investors due to the reduction in the price of wind and solar power along with the development of technology. However, Vietnam needs long-term guarantees for investors to borrow from banks and invest.

Moreover, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham) stated that the Association and its partners are proposing a Production Energy Plan in Vietnam to provide a needed road map for reforms, in order to attract investors, equipment suppliers, manufacturers and operators from the United States.

In addition, many US investors have also expressed their interest in intelligent cities, waste treatment projects, high-tech industries… Many businesses say that despite the United States withdrawal from the TPP agreement, trade relations between Vietnam and United States will continue to develop strongly in the future.

In fact, in recent times, high technology and supporting industries have attracted more projects of US investors. According to the owner of Saigon Silicon Project, after the construction of the project in Saigon Hi-Tech Park in the second half of 2016, up to now, many US investors have expressed their plan to implement projects here. It is planned that after completion of the infrastructure, the project can attract about 20 projects operating in the field of high tech and supporting industries, with investment capital of about 1.5 billion USD.

Meanwhile, a group of US scientists and businesses have recently reached an initial agreement on implementing a smart glass production project in Long An province with a billion dollar investment capital. This is a high-tech manufacturing project and about 90% of the output will be exported.

According to businesses, the results of investment attraction is not worth the potential of the two countries. Currently, the United States ranks 9th among foreign investors in Vietnam, with an investment of about 10 billion USD according to registered statistics from the United States. However, if we count the investment from the United States through third countries, the investment capital must be greater, for example, the Intel project has investment of more than 1 billion USD, but the investment capital is registered from the enterprise based in Netherlands.

Another good news is that, during the US visit of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the end of May 2017, US and Vietnamese businesses have signed contracts worth tens of billions of dollars in many fields. Therefore, according to businesses, if the bottlenecks, especially the regulatory and framework issues on investment are improved, the flow of investment from the United States is likely to increase in the coming time.

Read More

Vietnam Welcomes Trillion Renewable Energy Projects

The number of renewable energy projects with total investment capital of about 1,200 – 1,400 billion VND is constantly increasing, confirming that investment in Vietnam renewable energy is an attractive trend.

Recently, the People’s Committee of Binh Thuan Province has handed the decision and received commitment to invest in renewable energy of 20 enterprises in order to diversify the form of energy production, step by step achieving the goal of becoming a large national energy center of the country in the next few years.

Currently, Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan are the two leading provinces in attracting investment in renewable energy because most of the area has an average radiation intensity of about 5 kWh per square meter, less rainfall and hours of sunshine always maintained at an ideal level.

Although the natural conditions are not as favorable as Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan, some neighboring provinces such as Khanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Binh Dinh… also attract many domestic and foreign enterprises committed to pour capital.

Most recently, Fujiwara (Japan) also received license to invest in solar and wind power plants in Binh Dinh with total capital of 1,446 billion VND. According to the investment registration progress, the project will be implemented right in 2017 and is expected to complete the first phase in the first quarter 2019.

Recently, more and more businesses outside the industry have not hidden their ambition to enter the renewable energy sector. According to Deputy General Director of Bamboo Capital, the company plans to raise 300 million USD through issuing bonds and certificates with rights to buy shares held in period from 2017 to 2020. In which, about 100 million USD will be poured into renewable energy projects.

According to this year’s plan, the company will promote the procedure to build a 140 MW solar power plant in Long An province. In addition, the company is seeking investment opportunity in solar power projects in Phu Ninh (Quang Nam) and Ninh Thuan, while taking advantage of international relations to attract capital and experiences from foreign investors.

Furthermore, Bamboo Capital expects to officially sell electricity and record revenue from the energy segment by 2018. By 2020, this segment will be able to deliver significant revenue streams to the company.

Explaining the fact that businesses are racing to plan, commit to invest and directly invest in renewable energy sector, the Renewable Energy Center (under The Energy Institute) thinks that it comes from many factors. First of all, the demand for energy is rising, while the supply of fossil fuels is becoming more expensive and exhausting.

In addition, the technology enters the ripe stage, making business easier to access, while reducing the difference in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) compared to thermal power. A few years ago, the cost of producing wind electricity was about 3,500 VND per kWh and now it drops to 2,200 – 2,500 VND.

Moreover, the incentive mechanism for the development of solar power projects issued in April this year has also influenced the investment decisions of enterprises. Currently, the purchase price of electricity at the power point is 2,086 VND (equivalent to 9.35 cents/kWh).

In addition, investors are also entitled to many tax incentives such as import tax exemption for imported goods to create fixed assets, exempt from land use fees, land rent, water surface rent at the construction location, lines, substations connected to the grid. In the short term, it is likely that the Government of Vietnam will also consider increasing wind power prices to assist businesses, boosting investment to achieve a total capacity of 6,000 MW by 2030.

Read More

Japanese Businesses Want to Invest in Solar Power Plant in Thanh Hoa

Mr. Fernando Davila, Managing Director of Univergy Solar Joint Stock Company – a company in renewable energy, solar and wind power sector in Japan, had a meeting with leaders of Thanh Hoa People’s Committee.

At the meeting, Mr. Fernando Davila said that in the coming time, Univergy Solar Company would like to implement the solar power plant project in Kien Tho commune, Ngoc Lac district, Thanh Hoa province with high capacity. It is hoped to receive the support from the local authorities as well as the Government of Vietnam.

Univergy Solar – a joint venture of Japan and Spain, is currently the world’s leading developer of renewable energy – solar power, wind power, small power stations and geothermal energy in Japan. Currently, Univergy Solar has developed more than 1,200 MW of global wind and solar power capacity.

On behalf of the leadership of Thanh Hoa province, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xung, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee thanked the delegation for visiting and exploring investment promotion in the province. At the same time, the province pledges to support and create favorable conditions for Univergy Solar as well as other investors when investing in local projects.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing corporate intelligence, risk advisory, management consulting services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

Read More

IFC, Singapore PE firm may invest in Vietnamese renewable energy firm GEC

International Finance Corporation, the private lending arm of the World Bank, is partnering a Singapore-based private equity firm to invest in Gia Lai Electricity JSC (GEC), one of Vietnam’s largest private-sector independent small hydroelectric power producers.

 IFC together with a private equity fund based in Singapore proposes to invest up to 36% equity stake in GEC, according to its investment disclosure. The investment is meant to support GEC’s renewableenergy development plans in Vietnam.

The quantum of investment as also the name of the PE investor were undisclosed. 

GEC is 87% controlled by Thanh Thanh Cong Group (TTC), a Vietnamese conglomerate founded by Mr Dang Van Thanh in 1979. TTC is Vietnam’s largest private sugar manufacturer. It also has 79 MW biomass power plant portfolio owned by its various sugar business units. 

Mr. Thanh was also the founder and chairman for 20 years of Sacombank, one of the largest commercial banks in Vietnam.

TTC has identified its next growth opportunity in renewable energy, and set a medium-term strategy to grow GEC into a leading renewable energy business in Vietnam. GEC is thus also considering wind and solar projects in addition to hydel power plants, the filing said. 

Founded in 1989, GEC  owns and operates 15 existing hydro power projects totaling 84 MW in installed capacity. Majority of its portfolio comprises small hydro power projects (HPPs), ranging from 0.3MW to 16MW. 

GEC’s business model consists of the development and acquisition of small HPPs, wind and solarprojects. While GEC’s ow

GEC is located in Gia Lai province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Many of GEC’s existing small hydro power projects are located in the same province. GEC also has several projects located in different provinces of Vietnam, mainly in the central area of Vietnam. 

IFC has been quite active in investing, both debt and equity, in Vietnam as also the East Asian region. Some of its recent proposed investments include a $20-million commitment in Canadian Solar for its Vietnam foray and an acquisition financing loan for Golden Towers in the telecom space.

Source: dealstreetasia

Read More

Canada energy firm eyes $150m solar power plant in Vietnam

Canadian company CMX Renewable Energy Inc has sought a license to build a 150-megawatt solar powerplant in the central province of Ninh Thuan at an estimated cost of $150 million, newswire Thanhniennews.com reported.

SolarEnergy Power Future in Vietnam

CMX is the latest foreign investor to have expressed interest in setting up a solar energyproduction unit in Vietnam after the government said that it is drafting policies to encourage private investment in the sector. 

According to one of the plans being considered by the government, state company  Electricity of Vietnam and other electricity distributors will be obliged to buy all the output from solar power plants in 10-20 years, the government’s website reported.

The country’s first solar power plant is expected to start functioning next year. It is a 19.2-megawatt plant being built in the central province of Quang Ngai by Vietnamese investor Thien Tan Group at an estimated VND862 billion ($36.12 million).

 Last year South Korea’s SolarPark Korea sought to build a 300-megawatt plant in another central province, Ha Tinh, at $650 million.

 Another Korean investor, Hanwha, also reportedly plans to invest $200 million in developing a 100-200-megawatt plant in Thua Thien-Hue.

 Source: dealstreetasia

Read More

Vietnam's ancient town to light up main attractions with solar power

The $147,000 project uses funding from the German government.

Street lanterns win the hearts of many tourists to Hoi An. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Viet Anh

Hoi An, the much loved ancient town in central Vietnam, has started a new project to use solar power for its major attractions, with funding from the German government.

The $147,000 project will set up solar panels at the one-hectare (2.5-acre) Hoai River Square to provide a 55 kWh source for sound and lighting systems at street arts programs, entertainment centers, street lanterns and the iconic 400-year-old Japanese bridge nearby, officials said.

The German government will cover 90 percent of the cost, while Hoi An and its German twin city Wernigerode will chip in the rest.

Once a popular trade port in the region, Hoi An is now one of the most peaceful, greenest towns in the country, drawing tourists to its picturesque wooden houses, pagodas, street-side eateries and hundreds of tailor shops.

A travel forum run by U.S. magazine USA Today described Hoi An as one of 10 most beautiful places in Southeast Asia, a place where one can find “tranquility and timelessness.”

“Best Day on Earth,” a new book from the UK travel publisher Rough Guides, listed Hoi An’s full-moon festival among the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences for the hundreds of lanterns that glow along alleys and river banks around town.

The solar power project is hoped to help the city develop sustainable tourism that is suitable with its strategy to become an eco-friendly destination.

Source: E.vnexpress

Read More

Renewable energy accounts for only 0.1 percent of Ho Chi Minh City’s electricity consumption.

Energy experts from the World Bank proposed a program to help Ho Chi Minh City develop solar power systems at a meeting on Tuesday, Saigon Times reported.

Solar panels are used to produce renewable energy at the photovoltaic park in Europe. Photo by Reuters

To start with, the bank will work with the city to carry out an overall assessment of the benefits of installing solar energy systems on rooftops, provide technical support for local energy experts and find financial resources as well as equipment suppliers to implement the program.

Last year, Vietnam’s largest economic hub consumed about 3,575 MW of electricity, of which renewable energy accounted for 3.96 MW, or 0.1 percent.

The city had set a target of increasing its use of renewable energy to 1.74 percent, equivalent to 96 MW, by 2020.

To reach this goal, Ho Chi Minh City needs the World Bank's program to be launched by 2018 at the latest, Le Van Khoa, the city's vice mayor, has said.

Since 2015, the city has encouraged residents and businesses to invest in solar power systems by granting a subsidy of VND2,000 ($0.1) per kW used for domestic purposes or sold to the national electricity grid.

The city’s Power Corporation is searching for a pricing mechanism from the Vietnamese government to boost the development of solar power projects.

Vietnam is aiming to increase residential solar power usage nationwide from 4.3 percent in 2015 to 50 percent in 2050.

Source: E.vnexpress

Read More

Vietnam utility cuts power purchases from China

Vietnam Electricity refrained from buying electricity from China last month following a surge in domestic output.

Solar Energy Power Future in Vietnam

Vietnam’s electricity output during the first eight months of this year has increased by 11.2 percent to 117.1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), including 1.2 billion kWh imported from China, said the country’s utility group EVN said Saturday.

Hydropower plants which in the first eight months of 2016 generated 32.7 percent of Vietnam's electricity, often face shutdowns during the dry season, causing nationwide outages. Meanwhile, coal has taken over hydro power as the leading source of electricity in the country as it has generated 38.03 percent of the total output so so far this year. 

In response to fast growing demand for power, Vietnam is building more coal-fired thermal plants and buying electricity from neighboring China.

However, EVN said last month it stopped buying power from China for the second month in a row.

The state-run group which started buying electricity from Chinese power plants in the border province of Yunnan in 2004, expects it will not have to import more power from the neighboring country in four consecutive months.

EVN plans to import about 950 million kWh from China to meet the domestic power needs in 2016, down 44 percent from 2015.

EVN said Vietnam's power output is expected to reach 183 billion kWh this year.

The average energy consumption in Vietnam grew 13 percent from 2006-2010, and by about 11 percent from 2011-2015, said Le Tuan Phong, deputy head of the General Directorate of Energy, adding that the country is on the path towards powering itself by 2030.

The country’s power production is expected to grow at an annual rate of 14 percent between 2015 and 2030.

Vietnam is also restructuring its power sector by breaking up its retail power monopoly EVN to develop a competitive retail power market by 2030.

And it is aiming to generate enough energy to power almost every home by 2020 and increase residential solar power usage to 50 percent of households nationwide by 2050.

Source: E.vnexpress

Read More

Vietnam: FDI into Solar Energy Increased Sharply

Vietnam is becoming attractive locations for investors producing solar panels from China, Taiwan to expand production in order to meet increasing demands of the world as well as make use of the advantages of tax for exports to the two largest markets which are the US and Europe.

Vina Solar has just signed a contract with GCL-SI – China’s leading solar panels manufacturer and Trina Solar Company to develop the project to produce solar energy panels with capacity of 600 MW and 1 GW at the factories in Vietnam. In particular, GCL-SI Company also announced an investment of 32 million USD together with Solar Vina in Vietnam.

According to President of GCL-SI, this investment is not only brings cost advantages but also help organizing the supply chain of the Company.

Also reported by GCL-SI Company, this is a notable move to strengthen competitiveness as well as to expand opportunities to join the US and EU markets as these two markets are having trade barriers, which are set for solar energy panels manufacturing in China and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, with an investment of 100 million USD, Trian Solar Company has recently completed construction the project producing solar energy panels with capacity of 800 MW/year in Bac Giang – the province with highest solar energy panels production scale in the country, with a total capacity of 5,200 MW/year. Moreover, Bac Giang is forming production and assembly chains of solar energy panels with 8 projects have been licensed, the total registered capital reached 635 million USD.

Under the agreement, Vina Solar will supply and assemble PV modules for Trina Solar. This is the largest project of Trina Solar in Vietnam. The project has a workshop area of 42,000 m2, with 14 modern production lines, the factory produce many kinds of single-crystal and polycrystalline batteries. The products are exported to all continents in the world.

According to the Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar, the factory in Vietnam is a result of global strategy, following the opening of the factories producing solar energy panels in Malaysia and Thailand. This cooperation will bring benefits for both parties, helping to bring solar energy panel production technology to Vietnam and create about 1,000 jobs.

In November 2016, JA Solar Corporation (China) has started construction of the 1 billion USD project to build a factory producing solar energy batteries at Quang Chau Industrial Park (Bac Giang). The project is divided into several stages, with the scale of 88 hectares of land.

According to forecasts, the demand for solar energy panels worldwide will increase after 2016, while the cost of installation and production will continue to decline. According to the report of International Renewable Energy Agency, that trend will contribute to replace fossil energy. This is the reason why many solar panels projects are warming up in Vietnam, after several major projects are bankrupt previously.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing corporate intelligence, risk advisory, management consulting services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

Read More

Renewable energy development bumpy in Vietnam

CMC – Despite huge potential for renewable energy development, Vietnam has found it hard to attract investments and expand operational projects due to low electricity prices and lack of policy incentives.

At a seminar on clean energy in HCMC, experts were of the opinion that Vietnam still relies heavily on limited fossil energy sources. This has prompted the Government to work out plans for renewable energydevelopment.

The nation may have to pay a dear price for the environment and the local economy in the future if the Government fails to change energy policy and find suitable measures to develop the sector, they said.

Vietnam has many favorable conditions to develop clean energy sources such as wind, solar power and gases from landfills, and a number of projects have been deployed in the sector in recent times.

Sundar Venkataraman, technical director at General Electric Energy Consulting Co., said Vietnam has potential for wind powerdevelopment and that many investors have expressed interest in the industry. Wind farms require high investments but their operation cost is lower than thermal power plants as they need no fuel.

According to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), many U.S. companies are seeking to expand investments in the energy sector in Vietnam. However, a lack of supporting policies, difficult capital mobilization and unattractive electricity prices for green energy are their major concerns.

Gavin Smith, director of Clean Development Fund at Dragon Capital, said the Government has not thrown strong support behind renewable energy projects in the country and the legal framework in this area is still underdeveloped.

The low buying prices for wind and biomass power prices make it difficult for companies to invest in projects in this sector.

To make the most of renewable energy potential in Vietnam, investors want the Government to issue support policy for power prices and encourage banks to finance renewable energy projects.

Source: english.thesaigontimes

Read More

Foreign investors lay eyes on Vietnam’s renewable energy sector

Vietnam has opened up to foreign investors in a bid to meet the rising demand for power.

The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Singapore-based renewable energy private equity fund Armstrong S.E. Clean Energy Fund have formed a partnership to invest in Gia Lai Electricity JSC (GEC).

IFC has acquired a 16 percent stake in the Ho ChiMinh City-based power company while Armstrong has taken a 20 percent share.

The move by IFC and Armstrong could spur further foreign interest in the country’s renewable energy sector.

Hydropower is the world’s largest source of renewable energy and accounts for one-fifth of the world’s electricity, according to statistics from IFC.

“As shareholders, IFC and Armstrong will not only support the company in expanding its core business in hydropower, but also help GEC become a leading company in Vietnam’s renewable energy sector,” said chief executive Le An Khang.

“Their investment is a vote of confidence in Vietnam’s hydropower sector potential and should help attract more international investors,” he continued.

Vietnam’s electricity consumption has grown twice as fast as the country’s economic growth rate in recent years. The country’s power output is expected to grow at an annual rate of 14 percent between 2015 and 2030.

Source: Bao Vnexpress

Read More

Vietnam's revised energy plan might not be as green as it seems

Last March, Vietnam upped its planned share of renewable energy for 2030 to 10 percent, from the initial 4.5 percent. However, in the next 15 years, Vietnam also plans to increase its reliance on coal fired power, the most carbon intensive electricity source.

*Vietnam relies mostly on hydropower to produce electricity. Therefore, renewable energy in this article refers only to solar power, wind power and biomass energy.

As part of the Power Development Master Plan VII released in July 2011, the country will give priority to developing renewable energy sources. The rate of renewable power is planned to account for 4.5 percent by 2020 and six percent in 2030. However, the revised Power Development Master Plan VII released in March 2016 has adjusted those rates up.

Wind power, solar energy and biomass power contribute insignificantly to total electricity produced.

On the other hand, by 2030, the government plans to rely on coal-based plants to produce electricity, making coal fired power the dominant power source. The rate of renewable energy will only account for 10.7 percent of the country's power supplies.

Details in the Power Development Master Plan VII show that as of 2030, there will be 83 coal-based plants, but only 10 renewable plants. According to the Guardian, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has warned that plans to build more coal-fired power plants in Asia would be a “disaster for the planet”. “If Vietnam goes forward with 40GW of coal, if the entire region implements the coal-based plans right now, I think we are finished,” he added.

 Source: Bao Vnexpress

Read More

Solar Energy Power Future in Vietnam

Although the initial investment cost for solar energy in Vietnam is high but it brings in opportunities for cheaper option than thermal power technology being used in Vietnam.

In other country, solar power plants are competing fiercely with the thermal power plants running on coal.

In Vietnam, Thien Tan solar energy plant has been started to construct on 24 ha land in Quang Ngai with capacity of 19.2 MW at investment of VND 800 bil.  The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also approved the investment project of Tuy Phong solar energy plant on 50 ha land in Binh Thuan with capacity of 30 MW at investment of VND 1,454 bil.  This will open opportunities for renewable energy to contribute to the effort of protecting the environment and curbing climate change.

The solar energy is new in Vietnam therefore the investment in this area is at very early stage.  However, the foreign investors have been increasingly interested in seeking opportunities in investment in solar energy projects.

Similar to investment in wind power energy in Vietnam, one of the concerns for investors is the expected increase in purchasing price from Electricity Vietnam Corporation, the party whom purchase the electricity on Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).   Further, legal frameworks for promoting solar energy investment are not yet finalized.  Accordingly, the contribution ratio of renewable energy in Vietnam is minimal.  The Vietnam government has been trying to put some effort to increase the renewable energy contribution to 5,6% (in 2020) and 9,4% (2030).

 To achieve this, Vietnam government shall need to be consulted on plan to support the solar energy investment project in Vietnam in tax, land, capital, power purchase agreement.  Investors would need to be consulted by local consulting firm on process, procedures on investment policy, appraisal process, power purchase agreement, and other steps to develop and execute an energy project in Vietnam to improve the effectiveness of the investment in renewable energy.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing corporate intelligence, risk advisory, management consulting services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

Read More