Page 13 - VET356

COVER STORY

Clarity absent supplied to the national grid as of the
Some 11.135 billion kWh had been
end of 2023, accounting for 3.97 per cent
of the total volume of electricity Vietnam
produces and imports.
The potential for rooftop solar power infrastructure at IPs These rooftop solar systems were installed
around Vietnam remains but the ongoing legal ambiguity and assessed and had purchase contracts
must be addressed. signed with EVN or its representatives
before the feed-in tariff (FIT) price mech-
By VU KHUE
anism expired on December 31, 2020.
Mr. La Hong Ky, a representative from
the Office of the State Steering Committee
for Energy Projects, said that although a
new trading mechanism for solar power is
ooftop solar power is considered by this source of renewable energy to secure yet to be issued, many rooftop solar power
many to be a sound option for indus- green certification for their exports. systems have been installed for self-use since
R trial parks (IPs) to add to electricity 2021, following the expiration of Decision
supply and comply with environmental pro- Self-produced for self-use No. 13. As of July 2023, some 1,030 rooftop
tection regulations, while also providing Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and its solar power systems had been installed as
advantages in attracting both domestic and subsidiary power companies have signed of July 2023 for self-use by individuals and
foreign investment. However, the installation contracts to purchase rooftop solar power organizations, mostly IPs and limited com-
and use of rooftop solar power at IPs in Viet- with individuals and organizations owning panies, with a total capacity of 399.96 MWp.
nam continues to face a host of difficulties. 103,509 rooftop solar systems with a total Rooftop solar power systems with a
Addressing a recent conference on capacity of 9,595,853 kWp, according to capacity of 500kWp and higher account
“Rooftop Solar Power at IPs: Demand and the Office of the State Steering Committee for 76 per cent of total rooftop solar power
Solutions for Businesses”, Mr. Nguyen Quoc on Energy Projects. These rooftop solar capacity. These rooftop systems are mainly
Viet, Deputy Head of the Vietnam Institute systems were installed based on a mech- concentrated in Vietnam’s southern region,
for Economic & Policy Research (VEPR), anism encouraging the development of with over 60 per cent, including 3.69 per
said the opportunity remains for the instal- solar power projects in Vietnam under cent in Ho Chi Minh City, and the central
lation of rooftop solar power panels on Decision No. 13/2020 QD-TTg from the region, with 31.96 per cent. The northern
top of production workshops at IPs. Many Prime Minister on encouraging rooftop region, meanwhile, accounts for only 6.07
businesses are also keen to use and access solar power production. per cent, with 0.35 per cent in Hanoi.

18 Vietnam Economic Times May 15, 2024 en.vneconomy.vn