Vietnam has strong fundamentals for developing offshore wind supply chain: report

Vietnam has strong fundamentals to localize key components of offshore wind projects, but certain areas need further investment, says an industry report, as the country is deemed to likely miss its 2030 development target for this renewable resource.

The report "Offshore wind supply chain for fast-track scenario in Vietnam" shows that Vietnam’s offshore wind market is considered promising, with world-class high wind speed and favorable seabed conditions.

The existing supply chain used by the domestic oil and gas industry, in conjunction with the current onshore and nearshore wind infrastructure, has the potential to support in-country offshore wind developments, particularly foundation, tower manufacturing and maritime infrastructure, according to the findings of the report.

The report was launched on Friday in Hanoi by the Norwegian Embassy and handed over to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The report, the second of its kind commissioned by the embassy after the first launched in 2021, aims to identify those areas of the supply chain that have the highest potential and that can be developed to meet either the 2030 or the 2035 scenarios.

As for the two pilot offshore wind projects decided by the Vietnamese government, the report illustrates the potential supply chain for the development of 1 GW in the north and 1 GW in the south (1 GW completed with a commercial operation date (COD) reached by 2030 and an additional 1GW COD by 2035).

Regarding port infrastructure, the report highlights the need for both northern and southern ports in the country to undergo upgrades to handle offshore wind logistics.

Southern ports, exemplified by Vung Tau, are better positioned due to their established oil and gas infrastructure. Ports in Vung Tau position themselves as a capable and reliable partner in the offshore renewable energy sector.

It points out Petrovietnam Technical Services Corp (PTSC) emerges as a promising developer.

Meanwhile, northern ports like Hai Phong city offer significant steel resources and logistics advantages, potentially becoming vessel fabrication hubs. “This strategic move could position them favorably for upcoming offshore wind projects, making Hai Phong a crucial element in Vietnam's offshore wind roadmap.”

The report also finds strong interest from suppliers in Vietnam. Eight major suppliers, including PTSC, CS Wind, Vestas, and Siemens Gamesa, have clear plans for entering the offshore wind market.

The oil and gas industry’s legacy in Vietnam provides a solid foundation for transitioning into offshore wind supply, particularly in foundation fabrication and tower manufacturing.

Challenges remain for components like blades and nacelles, but with further investment, these could be domestically produced by 2035, it notes.

The report also finds great potential for green job creation. The offshore wind sector could create up to 9,000 full-time equivalent jobs in a 1-GW scenario and 55,000 jobs in a 6-GW scenario.

However, the extent of this impact relies heavily on the industrial maturity of the region, with a specific emphasis on the metallurgy and maritime industry.

To help meet Vietnam’s offshore wind goals, the report suggests improvements of the regulatory and policy frameworks for offshore wind, strategic investments in port infrastructure, supplier upgrades, establishing a clear project pipeline, engaging with universities for skill development, and fostering international partnerships.

It further recommends establishing two inter-regional renewable energy centers in the north and south by 2030, which will serve as hubs for manufacturing, research, and green industrial zones.

Vietnam currently has no offshore wind projects under construction or operational while it aims to develop 6 GW of offshore wind by 2030 under a national plan adopted in May 2023.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said in August that Vietnam has not initiated any true offshore wind projects and has only developed intertidal wind projects situated in close proximity to the shore; thus the target of installing 6 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 presents considerable challenges.