USAID-funded project helps Danang advance renewable energy, energy efficiency

A project worth $2.7 million funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has helped Vietnam’s central city of Danang advance renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Under the Vietnam Urban Energy Security project implemented since 2019, USAID and the municipal Department of Industry and Trade partnered to facilitate energy efficiency gains and develop and deploy new sources of renewable energy.

The outcomes of the project include the development of four policies and regulations that help Danang put the National Strategy for Energy Development into action by encouraging the deployment of clean energy and advanced energy systems, such as rooftop solar and electric vehicles.

It also carried out training for key financial institutions on green bonds, rooftop solar and waste-to-energy projects, which improved access to finance for such initiatives.

The project also resulted in the creation of an Innovation Challenge Fund which demonstrated three solutions to address urban energy and environmental issues in Danang. These solutions included an electric vehicle charging station solution, an electric motorbike charging station solution, and an eco-power meter solution for commerce and industry.

“USAID’s partnership with Danang has helped pave the way for the city to reduce its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,” said USAID Vietnam mission director Aler Grubbs at an event on Wednesday to mark the close of the project.

“Through our successful partnership, Danang stands well positioned to be a model city in Vietnam for advancing the country’s net-zero emissions by 2050 goal,” she noted.