Vietnam has currently 824 hydropower plants with a total capacity of 24,778 MW. In which:
+ Under operation: 17,987 MW;
+ Under construction: 165 projects with a total capacity of 3,348 MW;
+ Under consideration for investment: 260 projects, a total capacity of 3,050 MW;
+ Investment policy yet to be approved: 56 projects (mainly small scale projects), a total capacity of 393.5 MW.
According to the Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong, Vietnam has a large potential for hydropower development, theoretically about 35,000 MW capacity with 300 billion kWh energy output per year, as well as a great potential for wind, solar and biomass, etc. These are valuable resources, clean and renewable energy sources that need to be properly exploited. According to the revised National Power Development Master Plan No. VII, Vietnam targets to reach the proportion of generation output from renewable energy sources (not including big, medium scale hydropower sources and pumped storage plants) at around 7% by 2020 and over 10% by 2030.
Over the past few years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been taking the leading role in coordinating with ministries, agencies, local authorities to review, eliminate 468 hydropower projects from being considered to be included in planning with a total capacity of about 2,044 MW due to their lack of investment efficiency, significantly negative social and environmental impacts.
The workshop took place at the International Conference Center (Hanoi) in the morning of October 5- Photo: Huyen Thuong
In order to ensure the sustainable and efficient development of small hydropower plants, state management agencies should further strengthen their inspection and supervision activities over the observance of the law by power plants; resolutely deal with cases of violation or not seriously complying with current regulations.
In addition, the coordination between ministries, agencies and local authorities should be further boosted to well manage the planning, investment, construction and operation. The Government, relevant ministries and authorities will soon consider revising and supplementing decrees, circulars, sanctions and institutions so as to promptly respond to both sustainable and efficient investment and development of small and medium hydropower plants.