Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong
Reporter: Could you please tell us about the main accomplishments of renewable energy development in Vietnam over the past time?
Vice Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong: Development of renewable energy is a major orientation of Vietnam. Over the past time, the Government has issued many incentive mechanisms to encourage the development of renewable energy, namely solar power, wind power, biomass and tidal power, etc. Thanks to that, many domestic and foreign investors have been paying attention to and investing in wind and solar power projects in Vietnam.
So far, if taking into account hydropower plants, renewable energy represents about 40% of the total installed capacity of Vietnam's power system. However, if hydropower plants are not included, renewable energy accounts for only a small and negligible percentage in the national power system.
It is expected that by the end of this year, there will be about 1,000MW of solar power and more than 1,000MW of wind power to be put into operation. I think that these are encouraging results in the development of clean energy and renewable energy in Vietnam.
Reporter: Vietnam is a coastal country, with more than 3,600km of coastline. How does the Vietnamese Government plan to develop tidal power and ocean wave energy, Sir?
Vice Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong: Ocean wave energy is a great potential energy source. However, in fact, using tidal and ocean wave energy sources is still very limited in the world.
In Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has recently received a number of proposals from domestic and international investors "offering" technology and equipment, but no investors have actually applied for projects exploiting ocean wave or tidal energy for power generation.
However we believe that with advanced science and technology applications, in the coming time, this will be a great potential energy that we need to consider, study and exploit.
Reporter: Japan is a leading country in developing renewable energy and has provided some supports to Vietnam. Can you tell me how did Japan support Vietnam in this area?
Vice Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong: The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) have supported the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop clean energy technology in a sustainable, effective manner with the least adverse impacts; etc.
Not only cooperating with Japan, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also cooperates with the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan, European Union (EU) and many other countries in developing renewable energy and promoting green growth.
Reporter: In the coming time, which energy sources will Vietnam focus on and whether renewable energy will be the main energy source, Sir?
Vice Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong: Vietnam is a developing country with a very high annual energy consumption growth. The electricity demand in Vietnam has increased by over 10% every year. Therefore, Vietnam needs to rationally develop energy sources such as hydropower, coal fired, oil fired, gas fired, and renewable energy sources, etc.
The policy of the Government is to promote the efficient exploitation of domestic primary energy sources, especially renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. However, we have to sustain the development of conventional energy sources at a reasonable level in order to ensure the national energy security, serving the country's socio-economic development.
Reporter: Thank you!