The workshop was attended by nearly 200 delegates from a number of relevant ministries, agencies, and localities: Office of the National Assembly, Government Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, CMSC, and a number of related localities; representatives from Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN), Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group (Vinacomin), along with representatives of Groups, Corporations, and Enterprises who are members of the Vietnam Energy Association, experts from a number of institutes, universities, and related industry associations, etc.

Mr. Trinh Quang Ninh - Deputy Head of Planning Department, EVN said: By 2023, the total installed capacity of the entire system is about 80,555MW, of which the total capacity of renewable energy sources (wind power, solar power) is 21,664MW, accounting for 26.9%, coal thermal power is 26,757MW - accounting for 33.2%, hydropower is 22,872MW, accounting for 28.4%, gas-fired power accounts for 8.9%, oil fired power 1.4% and imported electricity about 1%.

Although the total installed capacity of the entire system is quite high compared to the peak demand, the distribution of reserves among regions is uneven, in which the Northern region has no reserve. While, given the Government's policy of encouraging the development of renewable energy, in recent times the proportion of renewable energy sources has increased rapidly, accounting for about 27% of the entire system's capacity, however, this type of energy is intermittent in nature, affecting the electricity supply and system operation.

Mr. Ninh also said that EVN is currently facing difficulties related to master plans, implementation of master plans on provincial-level power grids, procedures for approving investment policies and investors, and deposit obligations to ensure the implementation of investment projects assigned by the government.

From the above difficulties, EVN proposes completing large-scale renewable energy development mechanisms such as price mechanism, investor selection bidding, and developing renewable energy combined with battery storage; Completing mechanisms to encourage investment in energy sources that provide auxiliary capacity and services for the power system, incentive mechanisms for urgent power projects, etc.

Translator: Vân Ly