Virtual dialogue: Habour and Infrastructure Requirements for Offshore Wind Energy Development in Vietnam

In her opening remarks, Netherlands Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman highlighted that the Netherlands and Vietnam are two countries that have been severely affected by sea level rise and climate change, and have become two of the most active countries committed to 2015 Paris Agreement.

The European Green Deal sets out a model for sustainable green growth. The Netherlands actively contributes to Europe’s energy transition: moving away from fossile fuels towards a more sustainable energy mix with a focus on renewable energy. Just like in Vietnam, in the Netherlands the renewable energy sector is growing fast: 24% in 2020. The target is that nearly 100% of all energy in the Netherlands will be renewable in 2050. Over the past 3 years, Vietnam has presented its strong transition to renewable energy. The Netherlands is keen on partner with Vietnam in promoting a faster transition to renewable energy sources.

With its long coastline, shallow seabed and reliable wind speeds, experts expect Vietnam to develop into an offshore wind power house. To deploy offshore wind power properly, Vietnam needs long term and progressive capacity deployment targets, a sound legal framework and a financeable Power Purchase Agreement. But on top of that, first and foremost knowledge and expertise are essential to let this new sector take off. 

By strengthening cooperation between governments, knowledge institutions, major corporations, NGOs, and financial institutions we can make the energy transition happen in Vietnam. By sharing knowledge, data, and best practices of greener energy in general and offshore wind energy in particular.

Attending the event, Deputy Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Agency at Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Pham Nguyen Hung shared: "The sustainability transition in the energy structure in the coming period will help Vietnam realise the socio-economic benefits while mitigate the impacts of climate change.” Mr. Nguyen Hung also affirmed that the goal of offshore wind power development by 2030 is from 3 - 5 GW, reaching about 21 GW in 2045, according to the draft of National Power Plan VIII of Vietnam. Offshore wind power in particular is one of the world's leading energy industries with important advances in technology, supply chain efficiency and service infrastructure.

Ms. Ngo Thi To Nhien, representative of the Vietnam Energy Transformation Initiative (VIETSE) reaffirmed the importance of dialogues between policy makers, businesses and researchers, especially with the participation of international companies who have knowledge, technology and expertise in developing state-of-the-art technology and techniques. In order to be able to build offshore wind farms, Vietnam should start to plan and build seaports and infrastructure to prepare for this potential renewable resource development in the future. The energy transition is only sustainable when all the stakeholders reach their reasonable economic and social benefits.

The presentations of the speakers can be found at www.vietse.vn/owf-event

For more information on offshore wind development in Vietnam, contact: han-ea@minbuza.nl.