Ministry proposes removing FiT for more competitive renewable energy prices

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has been told to finalise the National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII) for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2045, focusing on reducing coal power plants.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has issued an express dispatch requesting the People's Committees of cities and provinces and Vietnam Electricity (EVN) to urgently review and list all issues related to solar power development.

The 50-MWp Ha Do Ninh Phuoc solar power plant was officially inaugurated in Ninh Phuoc district in south-central Ninh Thuan province on October 24.

The Mekong Delta province of Long An is working to carry out solar energy projects on low-yield farming land in districts as it boasts huge potential for solar power development.

The Prime Minister has requested the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) propose suitable management solutions for solar power projects to ensure national security.

Vietnam has remained an attractive destination for Thai enterprises to expand their business despite the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the region.

The Vietnam Solar Power Expo 2019 opened in Hanoi on September 25, drawing 48 exhibitors and more than 300 enterprises.

The Vietnam Electricity (EVN) group has agreed with continuing the current feed-in tariff (FiT) rate at 9.35 US cents per kWh for rooftop solar power projects nationwide until 2021 as proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

With its many incentives for clean energy development, the Government is making solar power projects more attractive than ever.

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is speeding up the completion of 61 solar power projects so that by the end of next month as many as 88 solar power plants will connect to the national grid and begin commercial operation.

Construction of the LIG-Quang Tri Solar Power Plant (LIG-QTSPP) in the central province of Quang Tri is near completion, with the plant expected to be put into operation in June.

Vietnam’s solar power plants are facing a crisis in consumption of their electricity because there has not been synchronous development of power transmission infrastructure or a suitable operation mechanism.

The Government has approved an additional six solar power projects with a combined capacity of 850 MWp in Binh Phuoc, raising the total solar energy capacity of the southern province to the highest in the country.

Krong Pa district in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai is considered a good area for solar power projects as the temperatures can rise to 40oC.

Some provinces have called for preferential solar power prices to be extended to the end of 2020 instead of June 30, 2019.

Experts have suggested Vietnam build a balanced energy structure by developing renewable energy, given the increased energy demand in the country.

The southern province of Tay Ninh lured nearly 20 trillion VND (858 million USD) from eight investors to implement 10 solar power projects with a combined capacity of 808 MW by the end of September.

As of June 10, 2018, 100 solar power projects had been added to provincial and national power development plans in Vietnam.

The southwestern province of Tay Ninh has granted investment licenses to five solar power projects worth over 14.3 trillion VND (629.9 million USD) in Duong Minh Chau and Tan Chau districts.