Vietnam to import 5,000MW of electricity from Laos by 2030

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has recently signed a decision approving a plan to implement the National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

The plan aims to efficiently realize Prime Ministerial Decision 500 dated May 15, 2023, approving the National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (Power Development Plan 8).

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision approving a roadmap for the implementation of the national electricity development plan for 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 - photo: EVN

Potential export of 5,000-10,000MW of electricity

Under the plan, by 2030, the total capacity of domestic gas-fired thermal power, LNG thermal power and coal-fired thermal power projects will reach 14,930MW, 22,400MW and 30,127MW, respectively; the total capacity of co-generation power, surplus heat power, blast furnace gas power, and by-product power from technological lines will reach 2,700MW; the hydropower and pumped hydropower storage (PHS) capacity will total 29,346 MW and 2,400 MW, respectively.

From now until 2030, the total capacity of offshore wind power will amount to 6,000MW, while that of onshore wind power (wind power on land and near the coast) will reach 21,880MW, hydropower 29,346MW, and biomass power 1,088MW. Power generated from waste, rooftop solar power and energy storage batteries will reach a total capacity of 1,182MW, 2,600MW and 300MW, respectively.

In addition, from now until 2030, Vietnam plans to develop 300MW of flexible power sources in areas with potential capacity shortages, utilizing existing power grid infrastructure;

The estimated import of about 5,000MW of electricity from Laos is expected to increase to 8,000MW under favorable conditions and with a reasonable electricity price to leverage Laos' potential for electricity export. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported to the Prime Minister for consideration to approve the import and the synchronized power grid connection plan for each specific project.

Renewable energy resources serving exports and new energy production are as follows:

The Central and Southern regions of Vietnam have the potential for electricity export to foreign countries. The scale of exports can range from 5,000MW to 10,000MW depending on the feasibility of specific projects. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported to relevant authorities for consideration to make decisions regarding the export orientation and synchronized power grid connection plan for each specific case, in accordance with legal regulations.

Renewable energy is used to produce new types of energy, such as green hydro and green ammonia, to meet domestic and export demands. Priority is given to regions with good potential for renewable energy development and adequate electricity grid infrastructure. The target is to strive for a development scale of 5,000MW, primarily from offshore wind power.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported and recommended to the Prime Minister to consider and decide on each specific project after a preliminary assessment of technological feasibility and cost-effectiveness has been conducted. The capacity of renewable energy sources used to produce new energy is not included in the structure of power supply sources for the national electricity load.

The plan also provides specific details regarding the list of major transmission grid projects that are prioritized for investment, including the grid connections with neighboring countries.

The additional power lines and transformer stations of the reserve power grid are allowed to be used for the following purposes:

- Implement new power grid projects to enhance transmission capacity, controling and operating capability of the power system during the implementation of Power Planning VIII;

- Connect synchronously imported power projects (from Laos, China...) to Vietnam's power system.

- Connect synchronously (voltage level of 220kV or higher) renewable energy power projects (onshore wind power, biomass power, electricity produced from waste...) in the implementation Plan of the Power Master Plan VIII to the national electricity system.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade reviews and reports to the Prime Minister for consensus when implementing specific projects.

Establishment of two inter-regional renewable energy industrial and service centers

Regarding the development of the industrial and service ecosystem and renewable energy, the MoIT proposed the establishment of two inter-regional renewable energy industrial and service centers until 2030 as follows:

The industrial and renewable energy service center in the North is located in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, etc. In the future, it can be considered to expand to neighboring areas.

The scale of this center is about 2,000 MW of offshore wind power, and about 500MW of onshore wind power. The inter-regional renewable energy industrial and service center of the South Central - Southern region is located in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces, Ho Chi Minh City,...and can be expanded to neighboring areas in the future.

This center has an offshore wind power capacity of about 2,000-2,500MW; and onshore wind power capacity of about 1,500-2,000MW.