Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed PetroVietnam to accelerate research and initiate a pilot offshore wind energy project this year.
Directive No. 1, recently signed by the Prime Minister, outlines proactive measures to ensure a stable electricity supply for production, business, and daily life in 2025 and the 2026-2030 period. This includes the pilot implementation of an offshore wind power project, according to the Baochinhphu news site.
A coastal wind farm in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu (Photo: Huu Chuong)
The directive targets over 8% economic growth in 2025 and double-digit growth for 2026-2030. To support this, electricity demand is expected to grow 1.5 times, with annual increases ranging from 12% to over 16%. This growth will necessitate an additional 8,000-10,000 MW of power capacity each year.
Without immediate action to develop baseload, green, clean, and sustainable energy sources, Vietnam risks facing critical electricity shortages, particularly from 2026 to 2028.
The directive tasks PetroVietnam with overseeing Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plants, targeting commercial operations by June 2025. The company is also instructed to resume construction of Long Phu I thermal power plant in early 2025 for completion in 2026.
PetroVietnam will also accelerate work on Block B – O Mon projects and initiate the pilot offshore wind power project in 2025.
Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has been directed to implement key power projects, including Quang Trach I, Quang Trach II, Hoa Binh MR, and Tri An MR. EVN must also prioritize investments in transmission infrastructure under the National Power Development Plan VIII, particularly to support power evacuation from plants like Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4.
Key transmission projects include completing the 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen line by September 2025 and starting construction on the 500kV Monsoon-Thach My line in January 2025.
EVN is also tasked with proposing policies for transmission projects linking Lao power plants to Vietnam’s northern provinces, in line with the bilateral agreement.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is instructed to review and revise the National Power Development Plan VIII by February 28, 2025, ensuring it aligns with socio-economic development goals while incorporating additional green and sustainable energy projects.
Truc Dao
(The Saigon Times)
