On September 30, Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management (FSPPM) hosted a conference on Vietnam’s energy policy, gathering policymakers and representatives from businesses, financial institutions and investors. The workshop themed “Clean Energy Transition in Vietnam: Opportunities and Challenges of Renewable Energy Development” is part of the Natural Capital Management program implemented by FSPPM.
Fulbright University Vietnam’s undergraduate and FSPPM faculty who are also engaged in energy research activities presented papers on Vietnam’s power sector and wind energy development. A business representative presented about the situation of renewable energy development in Vietnam from the perspective of an investor.
Vietnam’s growing economy needs clean, affordable electricity and the ability to integrate an increasingly higher level of renewable energy at the lowest cost in the long term. The latest power development planning represents a dramatic shift from coal power sources to rapidly embracing renewable energy. Although Vietnam has been successfully adding more generation capacity to meet the rising demand, further integration will see significant integration challenges. The higher the share of variable renewable energy (VRE), the more flexibility the system needs to function properly. The key to cost-effective solutions is through the electricity market and private sector’s participation.
Dr. Le Viet Phu, FSPPM faculty member in environmental policy, presented the paper themed “Vietnam’s Power Sector Development: Opportunities and Challenges” in which he gave an overview of Vietnam’s power sector, the opportunities and challenges for clean energy transition in Vietnam. The presentation analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of renewable energy sources and new technologies in renewable energy that Vietnam could develop. It put forward some policy recommendations for Vietnam, including the reforms of fiscal policies related to the energy market (eliminating energy subsidies to improve equity and access to energy, allowing the liberalization of energy market), and the comprehensive business accounting of coal and hydropower costs to create a level playing field that indirectly supports the efficient use of energy and renewable energy sources…
Dr. Le Viet Phu, FSPPM’s faculty member in environmental policy
Dr. Doan Nhat Minh, Fulbright University Vietnam’s faculty member in Engineering, presented the paper themed “Mechanical Design of a Wind Turbine System: Overview and Challenges,” which explained how wind turbines work to convert the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy, serving the development of wind energy. On the same topic, the paper presented by Dr. Nguyen Hop Minh, Fulbright University Vietnam’s faculty member in Engineering considers geotechnical aspect in offshore wind energy development.
Dr. Doan Nhat Minh, Fulbright University Vietnam’s faculty member in Engineering
Dr. Nguyen Hop Minh, Fulbright University Vietnam’s faculty member in Engineering
The paper themed “Vietnam Renewable Energy Gold Rush: Investor’s Perspectives” was presented by Mr. Huynh Dinh Hiep from AC Energy, the energy platform of the Ayala Group with a number of renewable energy projects under construction in Vietnam. From an investor’s perspectives, it explored the potentials of Vietnam’s power market, the untapped gold mine for a developing economy with a lot of opportunities and challenges for renewable energy development.
Mr. Huynh Dinh Hiep from AC Energy, the energy platform of the Ayala Group
