Reporter: Could you please tell us about the significance of Resolution 55 in the context of our country today?
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh
Minister Tran Tuan Anh: Resolution 55 of the Politburo is of great significance, especially when it was issued at the right time. Year 2020 is the last year in the 5-year plan of 2016-2020 and the 10-year strategy; at the same time, it is the year of formulating development strategy and plans for the next 10 years.
This is also a time when Vietnam's economy is integrating so deeply into the world and is entering a drastic phase. Besides, with the strong development of economic sectors, Vietnam has started to transform itself and become a country dependent on imported energy.
As Vietnam's development level continues to improve, legal and regulatory frameworks after gaining a certain effective promotion have shown inadequacy, shortcomings, hindering the development of the energy sector, and the country's energy security. In such a context, it is necessary to have a new energy strategy included in the socio-economic development strategy; have new views and orientation in line with global changes so as to make decisions and solutions to ensure sustainable development factors, not only for energy security but also for national security, politics, etc.
Reporter: A highlight specified in Resolution 55 is to encourage participation by private sector in energy development. How do you assess this issue?
Minister Tran Tuan Anh: Recently, Vietnam has made a very positive impression in mobilizing social and private resources for energy development. Currently the private sector has created a certain position in the field of energy. Typically, in terms of power, 28% of the total power capacity comes from the private sector in form of diverse, effective investments such as BOT, IPP contracts, etc.
Resolution 55 continues to open up new, enormous and potential opportunities for the private sector to participate in energy development in the coming time. The Resolution clearly states important orientations and target principles to continue removing barriers, creating a transparent and open favourable environment for all economic sectors, especially the private sector so as to participate in potential sectors in general and energy in particular. At the same time, it clearly defines principles to develop energy resources effectively based on factors of price, technology and safety.
In particular, with renewable energy, it is focused on continuing to review and build a breakthrough policy mechanism to facilitate the private participation. Specifically, we have to mention a very new and decisive viewpoint which is to continue considering and forming renewable energy centers based on the advantages of technology, geographical position and potential.
Resolution 55 has opened new doors and allowed us to fully believe in a strategy with new policy mechanisms, including the legal framework (not just the Electricity Law, the Law on Efficient Energy Use, but also new laws such as the Law on Renewable Energy), to orientate in development and ensure energy security, in the spirit of continuing solutions of mobilizing resources, especially the deep participation by private sector in national energy development.
Reporter: How did the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) prepare and implement Resolution 55, Minister?
Minister Tran Tuan Anh: In order to implement and bring Resolution 55 to daily life, MOIT clearly defined that it was necessary to first research and study thoroughly the meaning, scope and content of the Resolution. In order to realize the target, it is necessary to have action plans made by the Government, political systems, organizations to implement the Resolution.
At the same time, MOIT will soon develop a plan to deploy, report to the Government’s Party Personnel Committee to develop an action plan. In particular, with a number of tasks that need to be implemented soon, MOIT will actively study views, orientations, basic principles in the Resolution for application such as development of Power Planning No. 8, adjusting Power Planning No. 7, etc.
MOIT has made a site visit and business trip to the Central and Central Highlands provinces to survey the situation and comply with the requirements set out in Resolution 55. In the coming time, the Ministry will continue to work with the Southwestern such provinces as Long An, Ben Tre, Soc Trang to know now more about practical issues and new issues, in order to apply and thoroughly grasp the spirit of Resolution 55 for the time being and a long-term orientation for energy development.
Reporter: Sincerely thank the Minister!