Vietnam sets $6.4 cents per kWh for wind power imported from Laos

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has set base import prices for wind and solar power imported from Laos at 6.4 and 6.78 U.S. cents per kWh, respectively, from end-2025 to end-2030.

According to a decision issued by the ministry on Tuesday, state national utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and power generators can negotiate power purchase prices per the base prices, ensuring that they are competitive.

The new prices are lower than the current rate of 6.95 U.S. cents per kWh. They are also lower than EVN’s retail power prices at VND1,806-3,151 (7.3-13 U.S. cents) for different usages.

Under its national power development plan VIII (PDP VIII), Vietnam aims to import 18.8 billion kWh (5,000 MW) annually from Laos starting in 2030 and 37 billion kWh from 2050 onwards. Vietnam has been importing electricity from Laos since 2016.

Vietnam’s electricity supply reached 232.6 billion kWh in the first nine months of this year, up 10.9% year-on-year, according to EVN data.

Coal-fired power accounted for the biggest proportion at 115.27 billion kWh, or 49.6%; followed by hydropower with 65.57 billion kWh, or 28.2%. Renewable energy made up 30.08 billion kWh, or 12.9%, including 20.4 billion kWh of solar power and 8.85 billion kWh of wind power. Gas-fired power accounted for 17.19 billion kWh, or 7.4%.

With 4.02 billion kWh, imported power accounted for 1.7% of the total.