Vietnam okays long-awaited execution scheme for national power plan

The Vietnamese government has approved the long-awaited implementation scheme of the eighth National Power Development Plan (PDP8) for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, which was passed last May, envisioning rising electricity imports from Laos.

Under the prime ministerial Decision 262 signed and effective Monday, the energy industry targets a total domestic gas-fired thermal power capacity of 14,930 megawatts (MW), liquefied natural gas (LNG) of 22,400 MW, coal-fired power of 30,127 MW, hydropower of 29,346 MW, and pumped storage power of 2,400 MW by 2030.

In addition, the total output of co-generation power sources and power sources using residual heat, blast furnace gas, and by-products of technological lines is aimed at 2,700 MW.

Regarding targets for localities/regions and power projects by 2030, the total capacity of offshore wind power is set at 6,000 MW, onshore wind power at 21,880 MW, hydropower at 29,346, biomass power at 1,088 MW, waste-to-energy power at 1,182 MW, additional rooftop solar power at 2,600 MW, and battery storage at 300 MW.

Vietnam is expected to develop 300 MW of flexible power sources by 2030, with development prioritized for power shortage-prone areas.

The nation is projected to import 5,000 MW of electricity from Laos and possibly up to 8,000 MW by 2030, subject to favorable conditions and reasonable prices.

Under the implementation plan, backup power grids with extra lines and transformer stations will be utilized to connect electricity imported from abroad, including Laos and China, as well as electricity from PDP8-listed renewable energy projects, to the national power grid.

The country will export 5,000-10,000 MW of renewable electricity from potential projects in the central and southern regions.

Notably, renewable energy, mostly offshore wind power, will be used to produce new energies such as green hydrogen and amonia, with a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030.

In terms of electricity development in the rural/mountainous areas and coastal islands, Vietnam aims to supply electricity from the national grid or renewable energy projects to some 911,400 households in 14,676 villages of 3,099 communes. The country will power 2,478 small- and medium-sized pumping stations and localities in 13 Mekong Delta cities/provinces.

Additionally, the islands of Con Co off the central province of Quang Tri; Tho Chau and An Son-Nam Du off the southern province of Kien Giang; and Con Dao off the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau will be supplied with electricity from the national grid or renewable energy sources.

Vietnam will develop an industrial and renewable energy service center in the northern region by 2030, with an expected offshore capacity of 2,000 MW and a combined near-shore and onshore capacity of 500 MW. Another facility in the south central-southern region will also be considered, with an estimated offshore capacity of 2,000-2,500 MW and a combined near-shore and onshore wind power capacity of 1,500-2,000 MW.