State utility EVN cannot implement offshore wind power projects: ministry

By Tri Duc
Sat, October 21, 2023 | 6:56 pm GMT+7

Vietnam’s current legal framework does not allow state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and other domestic companies to implement offshore wind power projects, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In a draft deployment document for the latest national power development plan (PDP VIII) sent to the Prime Minister recently, the ministry says the current legal framework does not clarify terms related to offshore wind power, the national maritime plan has not yet been approved and details of authorities in charge of granting in-principle approvals for offshore wind power projects are not available.

Initially, the ministry had proposed that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh allows EVN and domestic firms to research and survey offshore wind power projects and prepare for implementation upon approval.

An onshore wind power project in Bac Lieu province, Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Photo courtesy of Mekong Discovery.

An onshore wind power project in Bac Lieu province, Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Photo courtesy of Mekong Discovery.

PDP VIII features 21,880 MW of onshore and land-based wind power and 6,000 MW of offshore wind power. Other renewable energy sources mentioned are 2,600 MW of rooftop solar; 2,270 MW of biomass and waste-to-energy; and 29,346 MW of hydropower.

The ministry estimates that Vietnam would need to invest $134.7 billion in power generation and transmission until 2030. The figure includes $57.1 billion for the 2021-2025 period - $48.1 billion for power generation and $9 billion for transmission. In 2026-2030, $71.7 billion would be needed for power generation and $5.9 billion for transmission, or $77.6 billion in total.

In September, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha asked that the ministry’s previous draft deployment document for PDP VIII be redone. In his request for redoing the draft plan, the Deputy PM asked the ministry to come up with a pilot mechanism for allowing EVN and qualified domestic businesses to conduct offshore wind power projects.

Vietnam is in a position to attract offshore wind power investments, but failures to provide timely policy support policy can turn investors and suppliers away, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has cautioned in its “Global Offshore Wind Report 2023” report. The council has also stressed the advantage that Vietnam has in the oil-gas industry being able to transition quickly to offshore wind power.

Petrovietnam has stated that it is not currently allowed to invest in offshore wind power projects under a Politburo resolution, although the state-owned oil and gas group is highly capable of doing so.

"Petrovietnam is capable of all offshore wind power activities, from the beginning to the ending phases. In seabed surveys, hydrogeological tasks, data analysis and research, Petrovietnam is the best in Vietnam, thanks to its experience in working in the sea over the past 60 years," its vice-chairman Pham Tien Dung said.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index records sharpest drop in 25-year history

Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index records sharpest drop in 25-year history

VN-Index, which represents the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), saw the sharpest decline in its 25-year history on Monday, down by 94.76 points, or 5.47%, to 1,636.43.

Finance - Mon, October 20, 2025 | 5:49 pm GMT+7

Construction contractor Coteccons sets record FY2026 targets, capital base hike via share issue

Construction contractor Coteccons sets record FY2026 targets, capital base hike via share issue

Coteccons Construction JSC (HoSE: CTD), one of Vietnam’s largest construction contractors, has set ambitious targets for its fiscal year 2026, driven by a record order backlog and its push into international markets.

Companies - Mon, October 20, 2025 | 4:50 pm GMT+7

Real estate, gold markets to be fully established by 2026: Prime Minister

Real estate, gold markets to be fully established by 2026: Prime Minister

Vietnam plans to complete a comprehensive legal framework for its financial, real estate, and gold markets by 2026 as part of a broader effort to modernize market infrastructure and accelerate economic growth, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Finance - Mon, October 20, 2025 | 3:33 pm GMT+7

Vietnam breaks ground on nation’s most advanced domed stadium in Hung Yen province

Vietnam breaks ground on nation’s most advanced domed stadium in Hung Yen province

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has broken ground on a 60,000-seat domed stadium in the northern province of Hung Yen, set to become the country’s most technologically advanced sports venue.

Society - Mon, October 20, 2025 | 2:48 pm GMT+7

Workforce and logistics - keys to sustainable e-commerce growth in Vietnam: experts

Workforce and logistics - keys to sustainable e-commerce growth in Vietnam: experts

Businesses and online shop owners in Vietnam should pay greater attention to human resources and logistics, considering these factors “keys” to competitive advantage in the increasingly volatile e-commerce market, according to experts.

Economy - Mon, October 20, 2025 | 10:54 am GMT+7

Construction stocks ignite Vietnam’s market rally by year-end

Construction stocks ignite Vietnam’s market rally by year-end

FDI inflows into Vietnam are hitting record highs, while faster public investment disbursement and stable construction material costs are fueling a late-year surge in construction stocks, analysts said.

Finance - Mon, October 20, 2025 | 10:44 am GMT+7

Vietnam's central bank struggles to rein in cross-ownership

Vietnam's central bank struggles to rein in cross-ownership

Cross-ownership and bank manipulation in Vietnam have eased, yet control remains elusive as shareholders and related parties conceal ownership through nominees, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) said in a report to the country’s legislature.

Banking - Mon, October 20, 2025 | 8:34 am GMT+7

Viettel Post-invested $27 mln logistics center project breaks ground in central Vietnam

Viettel Post-invested $27 mln logistics center project breaks ground in central Vietnam

Viettel Post, a subsidiary of military-run Viettel Group, has broken ground on an over VND722 billion ($27.41 million) logistics center project in Danang city, which is expected to enhance the logistics capacity of Vietnam's central and Central Highlands regions.

Industries - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 7:35 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's stock market regulator introduces green bond disclosure handbook

Vietnam's stock market regulator introduces green bond disclosure handbook

By enhancing transparency and standardizing disclosures, the Green Bond Disclosure Handbook that the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) introduced will build investor trust, reduce greenwashing risks, and support the growth of a credible and resilient green finance market in Vietnam.

Finance - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 2:11 pm GMT+7

Central Vietnam province Lam Dong seeks investment for 72 projects

Central Vietnam province Lam Dong seeks investment for 72 projects

The Lam Dong province People's Committee has called for investment in 72 projects across various sectors which are set for implementation in 2025 and the 2026-2030 period.

Industries - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 1:31 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's leading conglomerate Vingroup ventures into senior living market

Vietnam's leading conglomerate Vingroup ventures into senior living market

Vingroup JSC (HoSE: VIC) has unveiled Vin New Horizon, a network of premium retirement and wellness communities built to international standards, marking the Vietnamese conglomerate’s strategic entry into the senior living market.

Industries - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 12:28 pm GMT+7

Vietnam’s agri major HAGL makes surprise return to property, saying land plot forgotten for 15 years

Vietnam’s agri major HAGL makes surprise return to property, saying land plot forgotten for 15 years

Vietnam’s agri major Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC's (HAGL) return to real estate is an accident, after discovering a plot of land the company had “forgotten for 15 years” during its boom years, said chairman Doan Nguyen Duc.

Companies - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 10:02 am GMT+7

REE to set up 2 subsidiaries for wind projects in southern Vietnam

REE to set up 2 subsidiaries for wind projects in southern Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City-based utility firm Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (HoSE: REE) has decided to establish two wholly-owned subsidiaries to develop two wind power projects in Vinh Long province, expanding its renewable energy portfolio in southern Vietnam.

Energy - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Australian CEO detained, NSH Petro’s recovery hopes collapse

Australian CEO detained, NSH Petro’s recovery hopes collapse

The recovery prospects of NSH Petro (PSH) have dimmed after its Australian CEO was detained on allegations of fraud involving false promises of billion-dollar financing that led to the misappropriation of nearly $4.9 million.

Companies - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 6:53 pm GMT+7

Maintaining market status upgrade a bigger challenge: official

Maintaining market status upgrade a bigger challenge: official

Vietnam's stock market status will be upgraded by FTSE Russell from "frontier" to "secondary emerging" from September 21 next year, but continued reform is critical as the bigger challenge is to maintain the new classification, said a market watchdog official.

Finance - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 1:30 pm GMT+7

HCMC partners with Nasdaq to develop int’l financial center

HCMC partners with Nasdaq to develop int’l financial center

The Finance Department of Vietnam’s southern metropolis Ho Chi Minh City has signed an MoU with the U.S.-based stock exchange Nasdaq on the development of an international financial center (IFC).

Top News - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 11:56 am GMT+7