Green Technologies in Vietnam: Opportunities and Challenges

Due to Vietnam's industrialization and integration, the growth in electricity demand has been increasing at an enormous rate. With a population of over 90 million people and an average annual GDP growth rate of 6.9%, in order to ensure sustainable growth, Vietnam has increased its energy demand by 10% during the past 10 years, and is expecting to continue to do so by another 400% over the next 20 years. Electricity consumption accounts for the majority of the energy demand and is expected to increase at an even faster rate, by 600%, over the next 20 years.

One-third of Vietnam's power supply is currently generated by hydro energy, another one-third comes from gas, and the remaining stems from either coal or energy imports. To ensure a stable energy supply to the domestic market, the government plans to operate its first nuclear plant by 2020. According to the General Department of Energy, the electricity output in 2015 ranges from 194 to 210 billion kWh. The output is estimated to increase to 330 -- 362 billion kWh in 2020, and to 695 -- 834 billion kWh in 2030. Furthermore, the government has issued a Clean Energy Development Plan, according to which the carbon dioxide emissions in all energy operations should be cut down by 10% to 20% until 2020, and by 20% to 30% until 2030.

To meet the thriving demand, Vietnam has begun primary reforms in the energy field by opening up the sector and promoting private investment. However, the retail price of electricity and the power purchase agreements with EVN (Electricity of Vietnam, a state-owned utility) are still considered the main obstacles to foreign investors. Foreign investments are especially needed in the field of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, where the objective is to increase the proportion of Renewable Energy to 4.5% by 2020 and 6% by 2030. Vietnam, therefore, has great potential for the development of Clean Technologies, ranging from sources of renewable energy to waste treatment and energy efficiency.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Vietnam 2015 Expo (RE & EE VIETNAM 2015 EXPO) will be held at the Vietnam Exhibition Fair Centre (VEFAC) Hanoi, Vietnam from 25-27 November, 2015. The aim of the Expo is to provide a business and information platform where industry players can receive updates and expand their business opportunities in the emerging energy market in Vietnam. Co-located with VIETWATER 2015, this event features advanced technologies for power generation from clean energy sources, such as Solar Energy, Hydro Energy, Geothermal Energy, Wind Energy and Bio Energy, along with the latest energy efficiency solutions and equipment in the industry. The event will connect local and foreign enterprises to target buyers, and offer thousands of opportunities for business networking and investment.

With the intention of introducing advanced European green solutions to the energy sector in Vietnam under the project named "Green Technologies Trade Mission to Vietnam", the EU-Vietnam Business Network (EVBN) has decided to organize the European Pavilion at the RE & EE VIETNAM 2015 EXPO. The EVBN Mission is designed for European companies who want to expand their business in Vietnam. Only 15 European companies will be selected by EVBN to join the Pavilion. During the three-day exhibition, there will be plenty of activities at the European Pavilion, including presentations by experts, tailored B2B meetings and numerous displays of products/innovations
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