Vietnamese Govt. Greenlights Coal-to-Clean Energy Shift

• Vietnam is poised for a transition from coal to cleaner energy options with tangible initiatives.
• It will develop at least 1,160 MW of clean energy by 2025, trimming the country's dependence on coal.

The Vietnamese Government approved a plan that promotes the nation's transition from coal to clean energy in line with its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed Decision No. 266/QD-TTg, which focuses on securing funds from domestic and international sources, phasing out carbon-emitting coal-fired plants, adopting greener technologies, as well as scaling renewable energy to guarantee a steady and affordable electricity supply.

By the end of this decade, the nation will start testing carbon capture systems at designated older coal plants. It is also mulling over the decommissioning of 540 MW of coal-fired capacity at Pha Lai and Ninh Binh if certain emission reduction and efficiency targets are not met.

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For a smooth transition, the country will research biomass and ammonia co-firing to lower CO₂ emissions, targeting a renewable energy share of 29.2-37.7%. It is also taking concrete measures for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, a long-delayed initiative expected to be up and running in five years.

Plans are being mooted to develop at least 1,160 MW of clean energy to replace coal and convert over 25,000 MW of coal capacity to biomass and ammonia by 2045. This will immensely reduce Vietnam's coal dependence and expedite its green energy goals.

All coal-fired plants will no longer function as they did before and will undergo a speedy transformation into clean fuels or integrate carbon capture technology, which will eventually eliminate coal from the country's power generation.

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To this end, the Vietnamese Government will scale up its investments and support for policy changes, new technologies, financial resources, and collaboration globally. On humanitarian grounds, it will protect the rights of workers and communities affected by the shift away from coal.

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Source: Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam