On the morning of December 26 in Hanoi, the Electricity Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) held a conference to review its performance in 2025 and deploy key tasks for 2026. Acting Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung attended and delivered a keynote address.

Also present at the conference were Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long, representatives of MoIT-affiliated units, energy and power groups and corporations, along with all officials, civil servants and employees of the Electricity Authority of Viet Nam.

Laying a solid foundation for 2026

Presenting the 2025 review report and task orientation for 2026, Director General of the Electricity Authority of Vietnam Pham Nguyen Hung said that 2025 marked the first year the Authority officially operated under its new organisational model, following its establishment under Government Decree No. 04/2025/ND-CP through the merger of the former Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority and the Electricity Regulatory Authority. 

One of the most notable highlights in 2025 was institutional development. The Authority advised the issuance of seven Government decrees, two decisions by the Prime Minister, and 25 circulars by the Minister of Industry and Trade, forming a comprehensive legal framework to bring the Electricity Law into practice. These documents comprehensively cover electricity planning, power project investment, renewable and new energy development, power operation licensing, electricity trading, power supply security, retail electricity price adjustment mechanisms, as well as decentralisation and delegation of authority in electricity management.

Notably, the Authority contributed to the submission and adoption by the National Assembly of Resolution No. 189/2025/QH15 on special mechanisms and policies for investment in the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, and Resolution No. 253/2025/QH15 on national energy development for the 2026 - 2030 period. These resolutions introduce breakthrough policies and provide an important legal foundation for the next development phase.

In strategic and planning work, the Authority participated in drafting and submitting Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW of the Politburo on ensuring national energy security; developing the Strategy for Vietnam’s power sector development to 2030, with a vision to 2045; and submitting the revised Power Development Plan VIII and its implementation plan for approval.

Participants at the conference largely agreed with the reports presented and highly appreciated the Authority’s performance. Discussions focused on clarifying technical issues and proposing solutions to enhance the efficiency of electricity system management, operation and development in the coming period.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long commended the Authority’s achievements in 2025, acknowledging the strong sense of responsibility, professional expertise and proactive approach of its officials and employees. He stressed the need to elevate strategic thinking, work decisively and report in a timely manner amid new tasks in 2026, in order to ensure a safe and stable electricity supply that meets economic growth requirements.

Ensuring system stability and development

After listening to reports and discussions, the Acting Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung praised the strong sense of responsibility and considerable efforts of the Authority’s collective staff.

Highlighting key achievements in 2025, the Minister emphasised several points.

First, institutional development and state management in the electricity sector were carried out with a heavy workload, alongside a clear shift towards faster and more decisive working practices.

Second, electricity supply and system operation were ensured despite numerous challenges, maintaining energy security, meeting demand without disruption, and managing electricity prices appropriately.

Third, although Power Development Plan VIII was adjusted, its implementation proceeded swiftly and effectively. The Authority also advised the Ministry’s leadership in organising inspection missions to tighten discipline in plan implementation.

Fourth, electricity market development and pricing mechanisms, which are highly sensitive and directly affect the interests of most social stakeholders, were handled relatively well.

Fifth, organisational restructuring and streamlining were implemented rapidly and stably, with operations maintained smoothly and without disruption.

Enhancing electricity system governance

At the conference, the Acting Minister also addressed proposals raised by participants. He called for continued attention to strengthening coordination among relevant units, further decentralisation and delegation of authority associated with accountability, and greater autonomy for specialised units in policy advisory work, sectoral management and timely handling of emerging issues. He also stressed the importance of allocating adequate resources for policy research and digital transformation in electricity sector management.

Several key issues were underscored. First, planning should be reviewed based on growth scenarios and economic structure projections for 2026, with concrete plans to coordinate with enterprises in managing development targets.

Second, while Vietnam’s installed power capacity ranks among the largest in Southeast Asia and around 20th - 22nd globally, its nominal GDP ranks only about 32nd - 34th. This requires a clear assessment of structural shortcomings, particularly the share of renewable energy and the lack of synchronisation between power sources and transmission grids, in order to improve system governance and operation.

Third, the Electricity Authority of Vietnam should intensify coordination with MoIT units to accurately identify and assess specific shortcomings and difficulties within the system, including mismatches between generation and load, and between generation and transmission, so as to devise appropriate solutions.

Fourth, the Minister welcomed the Authority’s role in advising the development of Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW on ensuring national energy security to 2030, with a vision to 2045, considering it both a guiding principle and a comprehensive set of solutions for achieving medium- and long-term goals.

Fifth, despite clear objectives and plans, electricity system operation requires rigorous management under multiple adverse scenarios that may occur simultaneously. Planning should therefore incorporate maintenance scheduling and require power enterprises and plant owners to proactively prepare operating plans to avoid force majeure situations.

Emphasising the Electricity Authority of Vietnam’s core mission in safeguarding national energy security, the Acting Minister expressed confidence that, with its tradition of unity, spirit of innovation and collective intellect, the Authority will continue to successfully fulfil its assigned tasks, making meaningful contributions to the sustainable development of the Industry and Trade sector and the country.