Vietnam energy news coverage is extensive. This is in large part due to a growing thirst for energy to support the Vietnamese economy’s rapid growth. In particular, renewable energy has become an important topic as the country aims to be net-zero by 2050. This section monitors Vietnam energy news including renewable energy, the electricity supply, and key energy regulations.

Vietnam solar project struggles after project approval breaches

the-shiv April 30, 2024

A power generator in Southern Vietnam has reported that key infrastructure projects it is working on are at risk of being delayed as a result of the state power provider, EVN, failing to pay for the power it has provided, VN Express is reporting. The problem appears to have been

This explanation for no feed-in tariffs on excess rooftop solar

the-shiv April 25, 2024

There has been some debate as to whether or not rooftop solar projects should receive feed-in tariffs for excess power they feed to the grid. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is against it essentially arguing that if there are feed-in tariffs people will add rooftop solar in order to

Vietnam coal power profits surge, but renewables, gas struggle

the-shiv April 23, 2024

Coal power plants in Vietnam are reporting bumper profit increases of up to 1,424 percent on the back of poor weather conditions dampening hydropower outputs, Tuoi Tre is reporting. It also states that gas power projects have also not fared well, saying this was due to reduced outputs and lower

Offshore wind in Vietnam unlikely before 2028

the-shiv April 23, 2024

The Investor is covering the Global Wind Energy Council’s Global Wind Report 2024, which says Vietnam will not have offshore wind power before 2028. The report cites the underdevelopment of Vietnam’s grid and regulatory gaps as key challenges facing offshore wind development in Vietnam. Of note, Vietnam’s Power Development Plan

EVN reluctant to sign on to long-term LNG power purchase agreements

the-shiv April 18, 2024

EVN has made a power purchase agreement with a new LNG power plant set to come online in the near future, however, EVN has been reluctant to commit to a consumption volume. The issue was the consumption rate, VN Express is reporting. The project operators wanted EVN to commit to

MoIT flips again on payments for excess rooftop solar in Vietnam

the-shiv April 17, 2024

Once again the MoIT is saying there will be no feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar, according to The Investor. Last week it was announced that the MoIT was considering a time-based feed-in tariff for rooftop solar, however, this week the ministry is saying that’s not the case.

Direct power purchases in Vietnam draw closer with draft decree released

the-shiv April 17, 2024

A draft decree that, if passed, would finally provide a legal framework for direct power purchase agreements–or DPPAs–is being circulated, according to VN Express. It outlines DPPAs that can use either EVN’s power infrastructure or build their own infrastructure.

Vietnam considering a monthly connection fee for electricity

the-shiv April 17, 2024

The state power provider EVN wants to charge a subscription fee on top of metered electricity prices to cover the additional infrastructure costs for some customers, VN Express is reporting. Essentially, the power price is currently calculated on the volume of electricity used and by tiers–the more you use the

No feed-in-tariffs for rooftop solar projects in Vietnam?

the-shiv April 12, 2024

Tuoi Tre is reporting that the latest report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade says that rooftop solar projects that feed excess power to the grid will not receive a feed in tariff. Zing News on the other hand, earlier this week, said that the MoIT was looking at

Vietnam’s MoIT backflips on removal of feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar

the-shiv April 11, 2024

In December, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade–the MoIT–circulated a dossier that suggested a draft decree on rooftop solar should have no feed-in-tariffs. However, it has now been reported by Zing News that there has been a reversal of this position with a ‘time-based’ price suggested though it’s not made

Vietnam secures funding for two LNG plants but start date uncertain

the-shiv April 10, 2024

Yesterday there was an article in VN Express that said Vietnam would have LNG power by April 15. Today, however, The Investor is reporting that PetroVietnam Power has secured short-term funding for the two plants which are expected to go online November 15 this year and May 15 next year.

Electricity shortages on the cards for northern Vietnam this summer

the-shiv April 10, 2024

Northern Vietnam’s electricity consumption could increase by as much as 17 percent this summer, however, the supply of electricity is slated to have added only 10 percent, VN Express is reporting Last year, power shortages cost Vietnam an estimated US$1 billion.

The Power Development Plan 8 Implementation Plan was approved

the-shiv April 4, 2024

The Prime Minister issued Decision 262/QD-TTg on April 1 approving an implementation plan put together by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, for the implementation of the Power Development Plan 8–or PDP8–that was approved last year. It essentially goes into the specifics dividing power production aims by region and then

Claims state power provider electricity bills up to three months late

the-shiv February 21, 2024

The Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department is enforcing a decision to block the import and export of goods by the Trung Nam Group, over unpaid taxes, VN Express is reporting. Of particular interest in this article, however, is that Trung Nam Group has claimed the delay has been caused

Vietnam electricity prices likely to rise, higher production costs

the-shiv January 29, 2024

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has suggested electricity prices should rise in May in line with rising production costs, VN Express is reporting. In Vietnam, retail electricity prices are set by the government. The state power provider, EVN, can increase prices up to 3 percent. A price hike

Vietnam petrol retailer representative group denied: name, function not unique

the-shiv January 25, 2024

An attempt to unite Vietnam’s petroleum retailers into an ‘association’ has been knocked back by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), Tuoi Tre is reporting. The MoIT says the proposed name and function of the group would overlap with the existing Vietnam Petroleum Association (VPA). In Vietnam, ‘associations’ are

Loan interest may be forgiven for partners in Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery

the-shiv January 23, 2024

Kuwait Petroleum International is considering waiving the interest on the loans of its partners in Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery, the Arab Times is reporting. This could also see the interest rate on said loans possibly reduced to 0 percent. The publication notes that at the end of December there was

Summer power shortages likely for northern Vietnam this year, too

the-shiv January 12, 2024

Vietnam’s Northern Power Service Company is predicting a shortfall in electricity over summer of 1,200 to 2,500 megawatts, DTI News is reporting. This is after power shortages in 2023 saw households and businesses without power for hours at a time including a number of big multinationals. It was estimated to

Vietnam oil refinery to receive US$338 million in compensation

the-shiv January 4, 2024

Nghi Son oil refinery operators will be compensated VND 8,247 billion (US$338.1 million) for variations in the price they were permitted to sell their petrol products and the price of the same products imported, Tuoi Tre is reporting. Key points: Vietnam’s state-owned Petrovietnam (PVN) is required to buy all of

Electricity in Vietnam still being sold below cost price

the-shiv January 2, 2024

Electricity Vietnam (EVN) has said it expects to record a pre-tax loss of about US$698.6 million in 2023, VN Express is reporting. The size of this loss has been attributed to the state electricity provider continuing to sell electricity at below cost price. Key points It currently costs EVN 2,092.78