HCMC aims to establish a renewable energy industry to support the green transition of its industries and economy.
This information was shared by Mr. Võ Văn Hoan, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, at the Legal Investment Support Forum for Renewable Energy Projects on September 20. According to him, the idea of developing an energy industry in a major urban area like the city “may sound unusual but presents an opportunity.” “We have incorporated this plan into HCMC’s socio-economic development strategy,” he said.
For the 2024-2030 period, the city—Vietnam’s economic hub—has identified green transformation as a priority across various sectors, from manufacturing and labor to finance and energy. “We fully understand the importance of renewable energy development. Without an energy transition, we cannot successfully transform our industries and economy,” the Vice Chairman emphasized.
HCMC has proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade provide guidance on procedures for studying two offshore wind power projects in Cần Giờ. One project has a capacity of 2,000 MW, divided into two phases, while the other has a capacity of 6,000 MW, intended for both national grid electricity generation and green hydrogen production. “Investors have already shown interest in these two wind power projects,” Ms. Ngọc said.
Regarding solar energy, the city is permitted to develop 166 MW of rooftop solar power for public buildings under Resolution 98. Additionally, HCMC is proposing that the Ministry of Industry and Trade consider expanding biomass and waste-to-energy power sources, aiming for a capacity of 340 MW by 2030. Currently, five waste-to-energy power plant projects are planned for implementation.
At the forum, Lawyer Nguyễn Đức Minh from Kim & Chang Vietnam Law Firm suggested that HCMC should soon announce a specific list of renewable energy projects and provide clear guidelines on the selection process for strategic investors, allowing businesses to explore opportunities.
Regarding the development of rooftop solar power for public buildings, Mr. Minh noted that some businesses are interested but remain unclear whether the model is for self-consumption or if excess electricity can be sold, and whether private enterprises can participate. Additionally, the incentives under Resolution 98 are considered insufficiently attractive and require further support.
Dr. Lawyer Lê Nết from LNT & Partners, an arbitrator at the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC) and the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC), shared similar concerns, arguing that the allocation of 166 MW of rooftop solar power for public buildings in HCMC is too low and should be increased.
He also pointed out that the actual implementation process is not straightforward, as ownership of public building rooftops must be clarified—whether they are entirely under the jurisdiction of the HCMC People’s Committee or belong to separate entities. This will determine the asset owner, the investor, and the infrastructure setup if electricity sales are permitted. “In reality, multiple stakeholders will need to come together,” he noted.
Providing an overall assessment, Dr. Trần Du Lịch, Vice President of VIAC, stated that while HCMC has strong potential for renewable energy, realizing this potential requires comprehensive policies and an investment-friendly ecosystem.
He cited the example of offshore wind power in Cần Giờ, where no projects have yet been licensed. For rooftop solar on public buildings, he clarified that Resolution 98 only allows the installation of solar panels on state agency rooftops, but the procedures and regulations must still comply with the national energy planning framework. “Just because we have Resolution 98 doesn’t mean rooftop solar can be implemented immediately,” he emphasized.
Nguyễn Xuân Thắng, Vice President of EuroCham and CEO of Schaeffler Vietnam, suggested that HCMC consider rooftop solar investment models such as Singapore’s SolarNova or India’s Resco. These models share a common approach—establishing a centralized government agency responsible for coordinating with private entities to create large-scale power purchase agreements, avoiding fragmented projects.
For instance, SolarNova is a national initiative managed by Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Sustainable Energy Authority (SE). The program conducts tenders to select developers for installing, operating, and maintaining solar panel systems on public and residential buildings.
SolarNova does not bear the costs. Instead, it signs agreements to lease rooftops and purchase electricity from winning bidders at a pre-agreed price over a long-term period, typically 20-25 years. “Adopting a similar integrated model could reduce administrative burdens, streamline management processes, and enhance private sector participation in public solar energy projects,” Mr. Thắng stated.
Vice Chairman Võ Văn Hoan acknowledged that while policies promoting renewable energy exist at both the national level (Power Development Plan VIII) and the local level (Resolution 98 of the National Assembly and Resolution 09 of the HCMC People’s Council), implementation remains challenging. Many aspects—including electricity trading, transmission, and operation—require further discussion and refinement among individuals, organizations, and investors.
“The key task is to stimulate investment in this sector and provide interest rate support to help households and businesses transition to renewable energy,” he said. Additionally, Vice Chairman Hoan urged the financial sector to proactively introduce credit packages to support green energy transition initiatives.
Viễn Thông
Source : https://vnexpress.net/tp-hcm-muon-phat-trien-cong-nghiep-nang-luong-tai-tao-4795123.html
