Electricity supply

Speaking at the 2023 Vietnam Economic Forum on September 19, Thanh said, “To achieve a green economic transition and boost renewable energy, electricity prices must fully reflect production costs.” According to Thanh, there has been an influx of new energy sources, many of which are costlier than the current average electricity price. As a rough estimate, if the cost of renewable energy stands between 5-7 US cents per kWh, with the addition of transmission costs, the retail price should rise to 10-12 US cents per kWh. Currently, the average retail price hovers around 8.1 US cents per kWh. This suggests the need for an upward revision, taking the new production costs into consideration. "Naturally, the idea of raising electricity prices will receive pushback. However, without a clear roadmap for such price hikes, transitioning to renewable energy becomes unfeasible," Thanh said, adding, "Energy pricing needs to be more reflective of economic and societal costs. Such measures could … [Read more...] about Electricity prices must reflect production costs for green transition

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council has approved a plan to revitalize the Municipal Theatre, also known as the Saigon Opera House, as the theater has fallen into a state of degradation. The renovation of the opera house, which is considered as one of the city’s iconic symbols, is estimated to cost VND337 billion (US$13.9 million). The repair is aimed at preserving the architectural values of the establishment to make it a further attractive destination for international tourists visiting the city and a venue for important festivals and events. Chau Huy Toan, who has worked at the opera house for 33 years, said he has witnessed the building undergo two renovations. The Saigon Opera House is situated at 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The theater, developed over 123 years ago, is a popular destination for tourists to the city. In 1998, the city launched a large renovation of the theater and equipped it with modern sound … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City to renovate downtown opera house

Nghiem Xuan Da, chairman of the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), said, "The CBAM is the latest challenge for Vietnam's steel industry amidst an already tough business climate as it tries to increase exports to Europe under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)." The CBAM is the EU's landmark attempt to put a fair price on carbon emissions produced from carbon-intensive goods entering the EU. It aims to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries. According to the VSA, Vietnamese steel exports to the EU have been on a positive trajectory thanks to the implementation of the EVFTA in August 2020, along with the recent shortfall in steel supply to the EU. Steel exports in the first six months of 2023 reached 1.36 million tonnes, with export turnover reaching about $1 billion, an increase of 1.5 times compared to the same period in 2022. In response to the new policy, Posco Yamato Vina Steel (Py Vina), under South Korea's Posco Group, is researching a new … [Read more...] about CBAM may hinder EVFTA advantages for steel industry

"Mini apartment blocks cannot be legalized," National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said this week as he demanded a review of fire safety regulations in the capital after the fire in a 10-floor mini apartment building killed 56 people , including children, and injuring 37 on Sept. 12. Mini apartment blocks, which typically have between five and 10 floors divided into small apartments, have been mushrooming in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in recent years despite having no legal sanction. There is no official data, but according to national utility Vietnam Electricity, around 2,000 buildings in Hanoi that are connected to the grid can be classified as mini apartment towers. Vu Ngoc Anh, head of the Ministry of Construction’s science, technology and environment department, pointed out to reporters Thursday that the 2014 Housing Law does not recognize mini apartment buildings as a separate category, and so in essence they are residential buildings like others. Many owners have … [Read more...] about Mini apartment blocks in eye of controversy after Hanoi fire kills 56

Attendees were keen to divulge their ideas on what is needed to fulfill Vietnam’s commitments, photo Le Toan Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai said at the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2023 that green transformation and green growth may create many new opportunities but also require large resources for relevant technologies, efficiency, and to minimise production and waste treatment costs. Highly qualified human resources, both in terms of knowledge and skills, are also a key factor for businesses to implement green economic initiatives and solutions. “In addition to the role of banks and financial institutions, Vietnam needs the participation and cooperation of international financial organisations in mobilising green finance,” Khai said. The move towards renewable energy sources, green transportation, and a supply chain of green goods from production to consumption are creating many attractive cooperation opportunities for both domestic and foreign businesses, he … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City urged to double down on green goals

What does the deal mean to your company and customers? Sébastien Prioux, CEO of GreenYellow Vietnam and Cambodia This transaction represents a significant milestone for GreenYellow and our partners. With more than 180MWp of solar projects in operation and construction, we are focusing on offering very competitive solar electricity to our clients thanks to our ability to finance our projects through aggressive conditions. This deal with the Asian Development Bank and other pool of lenders is an innovative competitive project financing mechanism combining both offshore loans and grants which also covers the lack of long-term VND funding at a fixed interest rate, and potential volatility of the VND-USD exchange rate. In the end, this will benefit to all our clients and partners. Vietnam aims for 50 per cent rooftop solar adoption in offices and residential buildings by 2030. How can the nation realise the target? Vietnam has a very ambitious strategy under the … [Read more...] about Green goals can be achieved with collective focus

Vietnam’s JETP plan must cover energy efficiency, storage, and more, photo Le Toan European Investment Bank (EIB) vice president Kris Peeters told VIR when he visited Vietnam last week that the non-profit credit institution and lending arm of the EU is eager to meet with partners in Vietnam to provide more green loans for environmentally friendly projects in various sectors from transport, water treatment, and smart urban development to renewable energy and infrastructure. “We have been providing loans for seven projects in Vietnam with total loans of €561 million ($602.8 million), and we hope the figure will double in the coming time,” Peeters said. Last year, the EIB invested over €70 billion ($75.2 billion) in many green projects worldwide. “We want to increase our investment portfolio and Vietnam is also on our priority list, as the country’s economy is going green, meaning the growing need for relevant projects in many sectors,” Peeters said. “Vietnam is an important … [Read more...] about Development banks extend role in green-related loans

Lam Nguyen Hoang Thao, senior associate at law firm Russin & Vecchi The central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An are looking for the government’s green light to convert some coal-fired power projects into liquefied natural gas (LNG) -to-power one. How do you think this trend is panning out in Vietnam so far? I believe that the trend of converting coal-fired power to LNG-to-power plants in Vietnam is a very positive development. The Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) called for a reduction in the use of coal and an increase in the use of cleaner fuels. The nation’s goal is to make the transition to green, renewable energy including solar, wind, biomass, ammonia, hydrogen, and nuclear energy. However, the road to reach these goals is still long and uncertain. Vietnam still has limited ability to supply energy from biomass and green ammonia due to the limitation of technology, expertise, and due to the related high production costs. Similarly, with hydrogen, the … [Read more...] about The key factors to take into account for switch to LNG

A solar farm in the southern province of Ninh Thuận. — VNA/VNS Photo Ngọc Hà Several countries in the Southeast Asia region have expressed interest in purchasing Việt Nam's renewable energy, according to the Institute of Science and Environment, Seas and Islands under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE). According to Dr Dư Văn Toán from the institute, Việt Nam's total installed power capacity reached 78.4GW by 2021, making it the largest power system among ASEAN countries. The country has also been heavily investing in renewable energy in recent years. By 2030, Việt Nam's offshore wind power is projected to reach 6,000MW, with a goal of over 70,000MW by 2050. The National Power Development Plan VIII for the 2021 - 2030 period has set out a path for the strong development of offshore wind power, in conjunction with other renewable energy sources including solar power, onshore wind power, hydro, and biomass to meet domestic and export demands. "We have … [Read more...] about Legal framework required for renewable export opportunities

Employees work at Samsung Electronics Vietnam Co. Ltd. in Yen Phong Industrial Park in Bac Ninh Province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has become one of the leading countries in Southeast Asia in attracting foreign direct investment ( FDI ), according to an article published on September 21 on the website gfmag.com of Global Finance Magazine. The writing attributes it to a range of advantages of the country, including its favourable demographics as 40% of Vietnam’s population of 100 million are under 25. In addition, it has tariff-free access to the Southeast Asia region with 800 million people thanks to being a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to Thierry Mermet, CEO of Source Of Asia (SOA), a consultant to companies looking for business opportunities in Vietnam and ASEAN, the 2023 outlook for the business environment in Vietnam shows promising signs of improvement. He cited foreign direct investment capital reaching about 10 … [Read more...] about Vietnam – poweful magnet for foreign direct investment