This is an opportunity for domestic and international private investors operating in the fields of wind energy, solar energy, gas power, coal-fired thermopower and hydropower to present problems in the development of power projects in the form of IPP (independent power project). At the same time, discussing solutions to promote power source projects in Vietnam in the coming time.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong - Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade delivers his opening speech at the Seminar
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong - Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Electricity Development said that in the 2020 – 2030 period, electricity demand will increase annually by 7.5%-8% on average. According to the preliminary results of the Report on Power Planning VIII researched by the Institute of Energy, demand for power production in the base scenario by 2030 is expected at about 526 billion kWh, corresponding to the 131,000MW installed capacity of the whole system.
Up to 2030, an additional 75,100MW of power (average 7,500MW/year) is required, with capital needs of about 7-8 billion USD/year.
Currently, in the national power structure, the scale and proportion of private investors have grown much better. Specifically, by the end of 2019, there were 19,253 MW of the private sector (including IPP and BOT power plants), accounting for 34.4% of the total capacity of the whole system.
"In particular, the past two years marked the explosion of solar and wind power projects with the majority belonging to private investors, with a total capacity of up to 5,700MW (accounting for about 10% of the total power capacity). This is a clear proof of the responsible policy of the State coming into effect, in mobilizing all social resources into electricity production and trading”.
Mr. Duong Quang Thanh - Chairman of EVN's Member Board speaking at the seminar
Recently, the Politburo has issued Resolution No. 55 on the orientation and strategy for Vietnam's energy development to 2030, with a vision to 2045; encourage and facilitate all economic sectors, especially the private sector, to participate in energy development. It can be said that the State's incentive policies have attracted many private investors for the country's energy development.
However, IPP investors, experts, and managers said that, during the development process, many difficulties and problems have appeared, such as: the weak grid infrastructure, not ready yet for immediate receiving and transmitting large-scale power projects; lack of synchronization and coordination among state management agencies and local authorities in compensation and site clearance; The Law on Planning has been issued attaching a number of new regulations, so the process of approving and supplementing the planning for a series of power projects shall wait for guidance, which loses or reduces opportunities to attract and mobilize investment resources.
Therefore, investors, experts and managers propose to the National Steering Committee for Power Development to recommend the Government for handling difficulties and obstacles to facilitate the rapid and sustainable development of energy projects.
Addressing at this seminar, Mr. Duong Quang Thanh said that over the past time, more than 100 solar power investors have implemented projects without government guarantee. The key factor is the very attractive preferential electricity price: 9.35 UScent/kWh. Therefore, it is necessary to have a uniform electricity price policy, in line with both input and output, to attract the non-electricity industries in the upcoming time.
If IPP investors' advantages are brought into play, power will be developed in the future.
Concluding the seminar, Deputy Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong said that the National Steering Committee for Electricity development will receive recommendations, thoughts and practical contributions at the seminar in order to find out the best solution, responding promptly to real needs, solving difficulties for IPP investors in developing Vietnam's power infrastructure.