Vietnam, Belgium look to boost renewable energy cooperation

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao speaks at the working session (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, with its vast potential for renewable energy, has become the focus of international partners' attention, especially as the country is striving to transition to green energy. Among the countries showing particular interest in Vietnam, Belgium has emerged as one of the most important partners. This collaboration not only brings economic benefits but also contributes to protecting the environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and responding to climate change.

Leading Belgian energy corporations such as ELIA, Luminus, AVALON L E, and BESIX are currently playing a significant role in implementing renewable energy projects in Vietnam.

Representatives from ELIA, which has extensive experience in operating power transmission systems, shared effective coordination ways among stakeholders such as transmission system operators, construction units, railways, and urban traffic authorities in implementing projects to upgrade and install power lines.

ELIA introduced approaches to minimise environmental and community impact while ensuring that project timelines remain unaffected.

Philippe Vermeulen, Chairman of Avalon Group said Belgium can apply many experiences of Vietnam, adding that Belgium also brings to Vietnam valuable lessons from the development of renewable energy and grid management to create strong connections and cooperation between the two countries.

Vermeulen also said Avalon has supported ELIA in network management and development projects in Vietnam.

Tran Ngoc Quan, Trade Counselor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium, introduced Vietnam's energy development strategy up to 2030, and highlighted Vietnam’s vast potential for developing renewable energy, including wind power, solar power, and biomass.

Quan highlighted Vietnam's international cooperation potential within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and the collaboration between Vietnam and the European Investment Bank (EIB) in mobilising funding for renewable energy projects and hydrogen development.

Ambassador Thao also underlined Vietnam’s great potential in renewable energy with its over 3,000 km of coastline, expressing his hope that with Belgium's extensive experience in this field, Belgian companies will continue to partner closely with Vietnam, contributing to developing a more sustainable, clean, and efficient energy system.

Close cooperation, experience and technology sharing between the two countries are expected to be key to realise this potential, helping Vietnam become one of the leading countries in renewable energy development in Southeast Asia, he said.