The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) will invest more in clean energy in the years. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Electricity ofVietnam (EVN) will invest more in clean energy in the years ahead to meet therising demand for power in national development.
The group has submitted to theGovernment its proposal on mechanisms to encourage the development of renewableenergy such as wind and solar power along with storage systems.
EVN expects to put into operation around5,500 MW of electricity from renewables,with 4,000 MW from wind power and 1.500 MW from solar power by 2025, to preventa shortage of power, especially in northern localities.
The group has also asked the Governmentfor permission to develop offshore wind power in the northern region toincrease electricity supply for the region and ensure national power security.
Those proposals by EVN are in line withthe Party and Government’s policy on encouraging the development of renewablesand delivering on Vietnam’s commitment at the COP26.
Electricity demand is surging in thecontext of Vietnam making all-out efforts for socio-economic recovery after theCOVID-19 pandemic is put under control.
According to the power development planin 2022, EVN can ensure sufficient power supply for the central and southernregions. The northern region may face a shortage at some points of time,particularly during severe heat waves.
The northern region accounts for nearly50 percent of the national power demand, and the region’s demand is alsoexpected to increase at a rate higher than the national average.
Meanwhile, there are few new generation sources scheduled to be put intooperation in the north this year, while electricity transmission from thecentral and southern regions is constrained by limited capacity of thetransmission network.
EVN can ensure sufficient power supply for the central and southern regions. (Photo: VNA) To make it worse, coal supply for electricity generation is facing variousdifficulties.
To help with the development of renewables and implement Vietnam’s commitmentat the COP26, EVN is pushing ahead cooperation with foreign partners.
During a working trip to the US last mid-May, Chairman of EVN’s Member Board DuongQuang Thanh held a working session with Regional Director of the World Bank's Infrastructure Department in the EastAsia and Pacific region Ranjit Lamech and WB Country Director for Vietnam CarolynTurk on collaboration in developing clean energy.
The two sides discussed possibilities ofpartnership in developing offshore wind power, and considered the use of LNGfor the Quang Trach II thermal power plant, and electricity transmission gridsintegrated with renewables in the future.
In March this year, during a meetingwith Norwegian Ambassador Grete Lochen and Finnish Ambassador Keijo Norvanto,EVN General Director Tran Dinh Nhan stressed that Vietnamneeds support and assistance from countries and international financialorganisations in transforming to a suitable energy structure.
Ambassasor Lochenappreciated Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 atCOP26. She said Norway will prioritise cooperation with Vietnam in developingrenewables, including solar power and offshore wind power. The Norway Governmentwill provide financial support for renewable development in Vietnam, she said.
The Finnish Ambassador also afirmed thatFinland is ready to provide all possible support, including financial, for Vietnamin energy transition and realising its COP26commitment.
Nhan informed the diplomats that renewable energy in Vietnam has developedstrongly over the past three years, with total power from those sources nowtopping 21,000 MW, accounting for one third of the national power capacity.However, most renewable electricity generation sources are concentrated in thesouthern region, posing challenges to power distribution./.
