VietNamNet Bridge - Two out of four electricity generation units at the Quang Ninh Thermopower Plant have halted operation since November 17 because of a shortage of coal supply. 

Thermopower ash and slag is considered normal solid waste, suitable to be used in the construction industry. However, no state management agency has been assigned to provide certification that ash and slag is not hazardous waste.

In the last couple of weeks, several solar power projects capitalized at trillions of dong have kicked off.

Vietnamese corporations have complained that the new solution to fight against transfer pricing by controlling loan interest rates is causing problems for their operations.

VietNamNet Bridge - More than one electricity generator and wholesaler exists in Vietnam, but the country still does not have a competitive electricity market.

The current low electricity price and high investment rate in solar power development are discouraging investors, but they see great opportunities in the long term.

VietNamNet Bridge - Foreign experts believe that developing thermal power with clean coal technology is a reasonable policy for Asian countries, including Vietnam.

VietNamNet Bridge - Curbing the inflation rate at below 4 percent in 2018 is within reach, but this will be a difficult task in 2019.

Of the 15 wind power projects approved in Ninh Thuan province, only three have been implemented as promised by investors.

Energy experts have reassured the public that Vietnam uses advanced technologies in coal-fired thermopower plants, which continue to be the major choice for electricity generation projects. 

If solar power projects do not start prior to June 30, 2019, investors will not be able to sell electricity to the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) at the price of 9.35 cent per kwh for 20 years, under a new decision.

The electricity outages that occurred in the dry season may return and become even more serious as provincial authorities do not want to build more thermal power plants in their localities.

VietNamNet Bridge - Two hydropower dam collapse accidents occurred in Laos with the last two years. 

Experts believe that buying electricity from other countries, especially China, will not reduce domestic electricity shortage, but could increase the price of electricity and pose risks for national defence.

Experts have applauded the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s decision on not licensing the Vung Ang II BOT (build, operation, transfer) coal-fired thermal power project, saying that this is a ‘necessary caution’.

The Electricity of Vietnam’s (EVN) plan to sell electricity to manufacturing enterprises at the lowest price level will only bring benefits to foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) and eat into people’s pockets, analysts say.

Forty-two percent of coal-fired thermal power projects in the world are in South East Asia. While the use of coal-fired plants is declining globally, Vietnam has been expanding the number of plants.

VietNamNet Bridge - A conventional wind turbine (> 1 MW) comprises 8,000 components, many of which Vietnam could manufacture.  

VietNamNet Bridge - Coal-fired power causes pollution, but hydropower potential and wind power have not been fully exploited in Vietnam. 

VietNamNet Bridge - The great potential of solar energy sources in Vietnam has attracted many foreign investors.