According to the survey results of the Energy Assessment Program for Asia of the World Bank (WB), Vietnam has the largest wind potential in Southeast Asia, with a total wind power potential capacity estimated at 513,360 MW. That is 200 times the capacity of the Son La hydropower plant and more than 10 times the total forecasted capacity of Vietnam's electricity industry by 2020.
According to the Report on the potential of offshore wind and tidal energy in Vietnam's seas by the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the sea areas that have the best potential to exploit wind energy in Vietnam are from Binh Dinh to Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan to Ca Mau, and part of the central waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.
In particular, the wind potential is at a good to an excellent level in the coastal area from Ninh Thuan to Ba Ria-Vung Tau, with an annual average wind speed of 8m - 10m/s, and an average annual energy density of 600W to over 700 W/m2. The potential of tidal energy in the coastal area of Vietnam, calculated through data extracted at 20 coastal points and hydrographic stations, also shows that the area with the largest wave energy is concentrated in the Central region of Vietnam, which is from Da Nang to Ninh Thuan. The coastal areas of the Gulf of Tonkin and the Gulf of Thailand have the lowest wave energy potential.
Vietnam considers the development of offshore wind power to be of great significance because it can combine the goals of socio-economic growth, energy security, and industrialization with low carbon emissions towards the goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050.
With great potential, Vietnam's offshore wind power can reach a capacity of up to 160 GW. Currently, in the draft Power Master Plan 8, there is also a target to develop 7 GW of offshore wind power by 2030.
In a recent workshop on the influence of the offshore wind power trend in Vietnam held by the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade) and the Danish Embassy, Mr. Pham Nguyen Hung, Deputy Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, shared that the Electricity Law currently under revision would be a breakthrough for the Government, implementing socialization and allowing the private sector to participate in the transmission grid.
After the amended Law is issued, the promulgation of Decrees and guidelines is also very important. The Ministry has met with units, giving comments on guiding documents. Currently, some private investors have participated in transmission grid investment, such as Trung Nam, Xuan Thien, etc., but the backbone of inter-regional and inter-regional transmission still has to be owned by the state. The remaining branches connected from Power centers or locations that do not affect national security can be considered and guide private investment.
Accordingly, Mr. Hung suggested several things to be done immediately.
Firstly, the Power Master Plan 8 was approved, and the Ministry has submitted to the Prime Minister a draft of the planning. Then, the Ministry of Industry and Trade must prepare the implementation plan of said Plan. If the implementation is slow, it will reduce the effectiveness of the Power Plan.
Secondly, in terms of the legal framework, offshore wind power has a very different investment cycle than onshore wind power. The marine management scope of less than 6 nautical miles is at the provincial level. However, higher management is required for projects over 6 nautical miles. That is also an issue that needs to be resolved.
Mr. Hung added that wind power in Vietnam would be the energy source of the future when traditional power sources would be limited. Therefore, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is making great efforts to perfect the planning, legal framework, project bidding, etc., in preparation for the future development of offshore wind power in Vietnam.
Compiled by VietnamCredit