Vietnam plans to increase its power generation capacity to 158 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, more than double the capacity in 2020, as reported by Reuters on May 5. The government’s plan, which was discussed with foreign investors and diplomats, aims to heavily rely on coal until the end of the decade while slightly lowering the target for offshore wind power to 6 GW from the previously proposed 7 GW. However, the target for capacity could increase to over 90 GW by 2050. The approval of the power plan has been delayed for years due to internal conflicts and complex reforms. The plan is crucial for unlocking USD15.5bn in green-transition funds pledged to Vietnam by the Group of 7 nations and other wealthier countries. The document also stated that Vietnam is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and will phase out all coal-fired power plants by then. By 2030, coal will remain the largest source of electricity, accounting for 19% of the mix, followed by hydropower, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and onshore wind. The government hopes that the plan will support an average annual economic growth of 7% this decade.

Vietnam’s rapidly growing economy is projected to continue its expansion in the coming years, which is expected to drive up the country’s energy demand significantly. However, the country has been heavily reliant on coal for its energy needs, which has contributed to high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. To address this issue, the government has set a target to increase its power generation capacity to 158 GW by 2030, with a focus on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. The plan is aimed at reducing Vietnam’s reliance on fossil fuels, diversifying its energy mix, and meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce its carbon footprint. The development of renewable energy is also expected to create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth, particularly in Vietnam’s rural areas.

资料来源

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/vietnam-more-than-double-power-generation-by-2030-lower-offshore-wind-target-2023-05-05/

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Vietnam-aims-doubling-use-of-renewables-by-2030-to-slash-CO2