Scheme facilitates green energy development

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien gives a speech at a conference with localities to implement Vietnam’s hydrogen energy development strategy to 2030

Special importance

Hydrogen energy development was mentioned in the Politburo’s Resolution 55-NQ/TW dated February 11, 2020, the 2021-2030 overall national energy plan, and the 2021-2030 national power development plan, with a vision to 2050.

Giving a speech at the conference, Nguyen Viet Son, Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Oil, Gas and Coal Department, said Vietnam’s national strategy for energy development to 2030, with a vision to 2045 must ensure inheritance and consistency with the national energy strategy and other related strategies and plans, be flexible and open to adapt to the world’s energy transition context and situation.

According to Son, the strategy will develop a hydrogen energy ecosystem, including production, storage, transportation, distribution, and utilization of hydrogen, with consistent and modern infrastructure based on renewable energy, contributing to ensuring energy security and achieving national goals on climate change, green growth, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Hydrogen energy production will be developed according to a reasonable roadmap and pertaining to the country’s energy transition roadmap, while the use of hydrogen energy will be encouraged in all economic sectors.

Specifically, from now until 2030, Vietnam will apply the world’s advanced technologies in green hydrogen energy production, and technologies to produce hydrogen from other fuel sources using carbon capture and storage/carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCS/CCUS).

Vietnam set a target of producing 100,000-500,000 tonnes of hydrogen from renewable energy and other carbon capture processes per year by 2030.

Key tasks

The strategy will facilitate green, clean and sustainable energy development in Vietnam, which together with abundant renewable energy sources (solar power, offshore wind power, etc.), will help Vietnam achieve its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, and meet domestic and export demand.

To successfully realize the strategy, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien proposed that ministries, sectors and localities efficiently implement related tasks assigned by the Prime Minister, including 1) updating them on policies and orientations set forth in the strategy; review, adjust and supplement localities’ plans (land and construction plans, for example) to receive and implement hydrogen-based energy production investment projects; 2) improvement of legal documents and policies, especially those encouraging the use of hydrogen fuel for vehicles, equipment and green transportation infrastructure; form national standards and regulations in the fields of hydrogen production, utilization, storage, and transportation, as well as in the field of carbon capture and utilization, in accordance with international regulations and standards; and 3) development of national programs on science and technology and high-quality human resource training for the new energy sector, including hydrogen energy, to promote research activities and the development of technologies for hydrogen production, storage, distribution and utilization, with a focus on green hydrogen production.

The Minister proposed that groups, corporations, state-owned enterprises, and energy enterprises, including the Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (VINACOMIN), chemical and petroleum businesses, and associations, cooperate with competent authorities to adopt feasible regulations and policies on hydrogen energy development; develop and adjust their own development strategies and plans in compliance with the strategy; attract domestic and foreign capital for hydrogen-based energy projects, particularly green hydrogen and green ammonia production projects.

Dien also suggested that relevant units of the Ministry of Industry and Trade disseminate information about the role, importance and core contents of the strategy among sectors, business communities and the general public; assist the competent authorities to develop specific plans for realizing the strategy’s objectives and solutions; revise, supplement and issue new regulations and policies in accordance with Vietnam’s conditions and international practices; monitor and urge the implementation of hydrogen energy projects, help the ministry address emerging difficulties (if any); and make monthly report on the implementation of their tasks related to the strategy’s realization.