Project description

Title: Supporting the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in developing renewable energy in Viet Nam
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
Country: Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)
Overall term: 2012 to 2015

Context

It is expected that Viet Nam's energy needs will more than triple by 2020 as a result of dynamic economic growth. At present, 64% of electricity in Viet Nam is generated using fossil fuels. It can be assumed that the CO₂ emissions from the generation of electricity will quadruple.

It is against this backdrop that the Vietnamese Government adopted a national Power Development Plan in 2011. This aims to step up the promotion of renewable energy sources in the future. Nevertheless, weak support structures and the absence of an incentive system continue to hamper the expansion of renewable energy.

Following the successful outcome of a project promoting wind power, GIZ is supporting the further development of renewable energy in Viet Nam as part of a new project within the framework of the BMU International Climate Initiative.

Objective

Adaptation of energy-policy conditions speeds up the expansion of renewable energy.

Approach

The main focus of the project is developing grid-connected renewable energy systems. In this regard, the project provides assistance to the Ministry of Industry and Trade as it draws up regulations on feeding into the grid electricity derived from waste and waste water (bioenergy) from agriculture, industry and municipalities. This should stimulate interest in the construction of biogas and biomass plants for electricity generation purposes from investors, project developers and governmental and non-governmental bodies. An improved planning and authorisation procedure for proposed new plants will boost planning certainty and contribute to the development of renewable energy in line with market conditions.

The project also promotes the training of specialists at central and local level. Moreover, an information system for renewable energy aims to advance the development of additional projects and mitigate the risks involved in the financing and technical implementation of investment measures. Lastly, the project assists local and national authorities with the development of guidelines and standards as well as with planning and approval for renewable energy projects. Exchanges and consultation missions at regional and international level serve to consolidate knowledge and create a platform for international dialogue.

Results achieved so far

In November 2008, a Vietnamese delegation went on a study tour to Germany. The objective was to analyse the different concepts for promoting renewable energies in Europe and to determine the experience that is most useful in the Vietnamese context.

In February 2009, a conference was organised entitled ‘Identifying optimal legal frameworks for renewable energy in Viet Nam’. This conference represents the first stage in the establishment of a decree for the promotion of wind power.

Further information

• Local project website
  www.windenergy.org.vn
• Wiki about renewable energies in the context of international cooperation
  https://energypedia.info
• International Climate Initiative
  www.bmu-klimaschutzinitiative.de