The Government Office has released a notice on the conclusion of the government on Plan 8 implementation. Plan 8 sets up the goal of developing renewable energy sources for electricity production. It is expected that by 2050, the renewable electricity would account for 67.5-71.5 percent of total electricity output. 

Vietnam will also control greenhouse gas emissions from electricity production and curb emissions at 204-254 million tons by 2030 and 27-31 million tons by 2050.

The government has agreed on releasing an action plan to implement Plan 8 as per the MOIT’s request. 

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has been assigned to direct the Government Office and MOIT to check the content of the plan to ensure its conformity with Plan 8 and current laws.

After the plan gets approval, MOIT will need to join forces with agencies and local authorities to compile a list of power projects to ensure the uniform deployment of the tasks in Plan 8 within 30 days after the plan is released.

The tasks addressed to MOIT include creating regulations and submitting to agencies the policies on direct electricity buying/selling between electricity generators and big electricity consumers (the regulations need to be submitted within May 2024).

It is also responsible for policies on rooftop solar power development encouragement; and policies on gas-fired, wind power, biomass and waste-to-electricity development.

The government has also requested MOIT to check the plan on developing offshore wind power for export and hydrogen and green ammonia production, and ensure conformity with the power development orientation in Plan 8. 

Vietnam is considering assigning PetroVietnam, the national oil and gas corporation, to pilot an offshore wind power project, and is thinking about developing solar power at hydropower reservoirs to ensure both ground electricity sources and existing transmission lines. Also, it is considering expanding existing hydropower plants, hydropower on irrigation reservoirs, and rooftop solar power.

It is necessary to predict electricity demand in regions with high additional charges that are facing electricity outages in the north, and develop electricity generation units.

The government emphasizes that Vietnam will prioritize waste-to-electricity which is environmentally friendly; and develop biomass power in association with land use effectiveness, and ensure carbon neutrality.

All power development programs need to specify the planned output and roadmap for building transmission lines to serve the import of electricity from Laos, and urgently set up electricity import prices.

Renewable power projects

The government has asked MOIT to add solutions and responsibilities in organizing the implementation of the plan on preventing electricity shortage in all cases.

It has also set the deadlines for issuing policies for direct electricity trading between power generating units and large electricity users; and policies to encourage the development of rooftop solar power, wind power, and gas power, biomass electricity and waste-to-electricity.

Minister of Industry and Trade will be responsible before the government and Prime Minister for the organization and deployment of Plan 8.

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and the National Power Transmission Corporation have been requested to build a 500KV transmission line Circuit 3 from Quang Trach in Quang Binh to Pho Noi in Hung Yen. The construction must be completed in June.

The Minister of Industry and Trade has to cooperate with appropriate agencies to conduct media campaigns before releasing the plan to implement Plan 8. It needs to clarify why there still is no list of approved renewable power projects, and continue to work with local authorities to compile a list in accordance with the goals in Plan 8.

The plan still lacks a list of projects for the planned capacity as reported (7,772 MW of onshore wind power, 6,000 MW offshore wind power, 1,405 MW small hydropower, 467 MW biomass power, 750 MW waste-to-electricity, and1,500 MW of concentrated solar power.

The Commission for Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC), EVN, PetroVietnam, Vinacomin, National Power Transmission Corporation, and power generation companies need to focus on projects and tasks assigned to them.

Luong Bang