Vietnam is turning off street lights and manufacturers are switching operations to off-peak hours to keep the national power system running amid record temperatures in some areas that have caused a surge in demand. As weather officials warn the heatwave could run into June, several cities have cut back on public lighting and government offices have been urged to cut power use by a tenth after state utility EVN said the national grid faced strain in coming weeks. Temperatures this week are expected to hover between 26 and 38 degrees Celsius (78.8 and 100.4 degrees F), weather officials say. To tackle the problem, Hanoi has shortened the duration of public lighting by an hour each day, while halving illumination on some major roads and in public parks. "If people all save energy, all will have enough electricity to use, but if not, there will be a partial electrical overload that will put the power grid at risk," said Luong Minh Quan, an electrician with EVN in Hanoi. Last … [Read more...] about Vietnam urges industry to save energy during heatwave
Secnav energy goals fact sheet
Coal still with part to play in energy mix
The clearance of 200-300 coal wagons per day via the La Lay border gate in the central province of Quang Tri is being deemed impractical, affecting Logistics PTS Vietnam’s future aim of importing five million metric tonnes of coal annually. “Transportation and warehouse infrastructure is scarce, and so we can only remove about 100 vehicles per day,” said PTS general director Nguyen Quang Huy. According to him, if Vietnam fails to strengthen infrastructure, improve National Highway 15D, and invest in warehouses, it will miss the chance to compete with Thailand in purchasing coal from Laos. In February, Laos’ energy ministry announced findings of coal field surveys in the provinces of Sekong and Saravane, indicating that reserves may be as high as 500 million MT. Coal still with part to play in energy mix, Source: evn.com.vn Vietnam may experience a power scarcity if the availability of coal becomes constrained. According to Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), the total … [Read more...] about Coal still with part to play in energy mix
Phu My Solar Plant receives earliest COD
The plant, which is the largest solar power facility in the Central region of Vietnam, began construction on May 29, 2020, with a capacity of 330 MW and a total investment exceeding VND6.5 trillion ($277 million). On December 31, 2020, the Phu My Solar Power Plant started its commercial operation with an initial grid connection of 216 MW. The plant enjoyed a favourable power purchase price of 7.09 US cents/kWh over a 20-year period. After a two-year wait, the remaining 114 MW of the plant received official recognition for commercial operation on May 30 this year, making it the first successful renewable energy transitional project to achieve COD recognition. Bamboo Capital's completion of Phase 1 and Phase 3 of the power plant showcases its comprehensive approach and adherence to legal requirements. This accomplishment reinforces investor confidence and demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainable energy. With the entire 330 MW capacity of the Phu My Plant contributing to … [Read more...] about Phu My Solar Plant receives earliest COD
Current trends guarantee big growth in Vietnam – US trade, investment: USABC leader
Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US in 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The current trends in economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the US guarantee big growth in two-way trade and investment in next 10 years and warrant upgrading the partnership to a strategic level, said Ted Osius , President and CEO of the US - ASEAN Business Council ( USABC ). In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 10th anniversary of the two countries’ comprehensive partnership (July 2013 - 2023), the former US Ambassador to Vietnam said trade and investment play a big role in this relationship. The US is Vietnam’s second largest trading partner and biggest export destination. In 2022, bilateral trade reached a record high of 138.9 billion USD. Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US. The US was the biggest export market of Vietnam last year. Vietnam’s annual export to … [Read more...] about Current trends guarantee big growth in Vietnam – US trade, investment: USABC leader
Power overhaul plan picks up steam
Vietnam’s long-awaited Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), confirmed in mid-May, is a milestone in the country’s journey towards energy transition. The main objective of the legislation is to achieve energy security for Vietnam, progressing on its climate change commitments towards the middle of this century, and more specifically to export 5,000-10,000MW of power by 2030. Towards these goals, the PDP8 proposes a new energy mix with a substantial reliance on renewables and the development of smart transmission grids to support the renewables industry, including connecting the power grids with neighbouring countries. “We appreciate the government for the approval of the PDP8, as it provides a clear path to the completion of the grid interconnection, which is critical for us and Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) to complete agreement on the tariff and schedule of the power purchase agreement (PPA). We target completion of the PPA in Q4 of 2023 in order to break ground in 2024,” said Ian … [Read more...] about Power overhaul plan picks up steam
Hanoi to ensure food safety for ten million residents
Hanoi will apply many solutions to improve the efficiency of enforcing food safety regulations in 2023 and the future. The Hanoi People's Committee has issued a plan to ensure food security for ten million people in the capital by 2030. The plan, signed by Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen, aims to strengthen the responsibilities of local governments and socio-political organizations to ensure food safety and security in Hanoi in all circumstances. The plan also aims to promote the resources of all economic sectors and support from the State to develop agriculture in a sustainable way. A farmer introduces a new rice variety in Hanoi’s outskirts. Photo: Lam Nguyen/The Hanoi Times According to the plan, by 2030, Hanoi will have approximately 55,000 hectares of rice production with an annual output of at least 660,000 tons of rice. In addition, the city has set targets to increase food consumption, reduce the rate of … [Read more...] about Hanoi to ensure food safety for ten million residents
Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix
The government last week reported that under its latest calculations, the state budget revenue last year hit about VND1.815 quadrillion ($78.93 billion), which is VND201.4 trillion ($8.75 billion) or 12.5 per cent higher than a previously reported figure. “The revenue has sufficiently met all tasks on expenditures for development investment, social security, salary reform, and other necessary tasks,” the government stated. Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix Such a revenue increase was thanks to a rise in many items, with enterprises performing relatively well despite massive difficulties. For example, the economy’s most updated export turnover last year reached $371.3 billion, higher than the $368 billion earlier reported to the National Assembly – with the exact trade surplus of more than $12.4 billion, far higher than the only $1 billion earlier reported to the legislative body. However, the National Assembly Economic Committee (NAEC) found that the … [Read more...] about Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix
Vietnam hits peak time for domestic tourism
Crowds flock to Co To island in Quang Ninh province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector served 12.5 million domestic visitors in May, pushing the total number of the group to over 50.5 million in the first five months. Also in May, revenue from domestic travelers is estimated to hit 267.2 trillion VND (11.37 billion USD). The volume of Vietnamese holidaymakers traveling around the country has been on the rise in conjunction with the annual peak of domestic tourism. On the opposite end, the peak time in domestic tourism is also when international tourism hits its low-season travel period. The sector hosted 1.3 million tourists from the Republic of Korea and 399,000 from China in the period from January to May. This year, Vietnam set a target to earn some 650 trillion VND from 110 million visitors, including 8 million foreigners. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the 4.6 million international arrivals recorded between … [Read more...] about Vietnam hits peak time for domestic tourism
An Giang seeks to develop value chain of products from lotus silk
Farmer weaves lotus silk in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang. — VNA/VNS Photo The International Union for Conservation of Nature Viet Nam (IUCN) in cooperation with An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta has launched a project on developing a sustainable value chain of products from lotus silk, with the financial support of The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF). The organisation has recently held a workshop to introduce the project to relevant stakeholders, focusing on the role of flood-based agriculture, the value chain for flood crops such as lotus and, in particular, the added value that can be developed from lotus silk. The project's goal is to promote flood-based livelihoods using lotus cultivation to support flood retention areas and restore some of the four billion cubic metres of water retention that was lost between 2000 and 2011 in the Mekong Delta. It will develop lotus silk making as a sustainable occupation for local communities, especially women. The project … [Read more...] about An Giang seeks to develop value chain of products from lotus silk
Vietnam’s T&T Group, RoK’s DB Group seal cooperation deal
At the signing ceremony. — Photo hanoimoi.com.vn The Republic of Korea's conglomerate DB Group on Tuesday announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on business cooperation with Viet Nam's T&T Group. The two have agreed to share their infrastructure and know-how in Viet Nam, and to enhance mutual synergy through various collaborations. T&T Group, established in 1993, is a leading Vietnamese company engaged in various businesses, including financial services, energy, trade and real estate. It has over 200 subsidiaries and employs around 80,000 people. DB Group's Viet Nam business is led by DB Insurance. Its property and casualty insurance unit was established in 1984. DB Insurance made a leap forward in Viet Nam's market by acquiring PTI Insurance in 2015, becoming the third-largest insurance company in terms of market share in the Southeast Asian country. — VNS … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s T&T Group, RoK’s DB Group seal cooperation deal