Vietnam is among the countries with the most sunshine in the solar radiation map of the world. On average, the total solar radiation in Vietnam ranges from 4.3-5.7 million kWh/m2. In the Central Highlands, South Central has a great number of sunshine hours, reaching from 2,000-2,600 hours a year.
Despite the huge potential, the exploitation of solar sources in Vietnam is still limited. Currently, the country has three new solar power plant projects under construction, two of which are invested by the Thien Tan Construction and Investment Joint Stock Company in Ninh Thuan and Quang Ngai provinces and the other plant is invested by DooSung Vina Limited Company in Binh Thuan province. Some foreign investors from South Korea, France, India, etc. also registered to invest in construction of solar power projects in Thua Thien-Hue, Ha Tinh, Hau Giang provinces...
Based on the resolution by EVN Board of Directors regarding solar power study and development, the EVN will compare, evaluate and identify reasonable costs and the efficiency of solar power projects, which will be the foundation for the Government to enact policies on supporting the development of solar power and renewable energy of Vietnam.
Accordingly, the EVN will focus on study and develop a number of solar power projects in the potential areas in the Central Highlands, South Central and Southern Vietnam. In particular, the selection priority is given to locations near or within the boundaries of the existing power plants of EVN. The consideration for the floating solar power projects on the hydroelectric reservoirs and on the land within the protected and operated boundary of the hydropower plants will be taken into, which facilitates the grid connections, reduces costs for site clearance and compensation and limits the arising workforce for management and operation of the solar power plants once they are put into operation.
Solar battery system on the roof of the headquarters of the United Nations in Vietnam- 304, Kim Ma str., Hanoi
Immediately, EVN will implement the study and development of two solar power projects, a project located on land at Tri An hydropower plant (Dong Nai province) and a floating project on the reservoir of the Da Mi hydropower plant (Binh Thuan Province).
In addition, EVN has recently made a proposal to Ninh Thuan province about the investment for a solar power project with a capacity of 200 MW on an area of 400 hectares in Phuoc Thai commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province. The project is expected to have total investment of VND 8,000 billion, commenced in 2018 and operated in 2019.
Support needed by a special mechanism
However, one of the biggest barriers for the investment in solar power development in Vietnam is the high production costs due to the high cost of investment and utilization; most of the equipment has to be imported, which is one of the difficulties faced by EVN. There are still many difficulties and challenges ahead, the decision by EVN to invest, exploit and develop solar power hopefully opens a new phase in the development of clean energy and high technology, brings out socio-economic efficiency and contributes to the environmental protection, the fight against climate change and greenhouse gas emission reduction and orientates towards sustainable development.
Vietnam Solar Power Development Roadmap to 2030, vision to 2050:
|
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2015
|
2020
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2030
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2050
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Power produced from solar energy
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~ 10 million kWh
|
~ 1.4 billion kWh
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~ 35.4 billion kWh
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~ 210 billion kWh
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|
The percentage of power produced from solar energy out of total power produced
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Not significant
|
0.5%
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6%
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30%
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(Source: Decision No. 2068/QD-TTg dated November 25,2015 of the Prime Minister on the approval of the strategy of renewable energy development in Vietnam up to 2030, with vision to 2050)
Solar radiation data in Vietnam
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Region
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Hours of sunshine during the year
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Intensity of solar radiation (kWh. m2/day
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Application
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|
North Eastern
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1600-1750
|
3.3-4.1
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Average
|
|
North Western
|
1,750-1,800
|
4.1-4.9
|
Average
|
|
North Central
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1,700-2,000
|
4.6-,52
|
Good
|
|
Central Highland and South Central
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2,000-2,600
|
4.9-5.7
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Very good
|
|
Southern
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2,200-2,500
|
4.3-4.9
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Very good
|
|
Country average
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1,700-2,500
|
4.6
|
Good
|
(Source: survey documents of solar radiation all over the country)