Norwegian solar companies seek cooperation opportunity in Vietnam

The event is co-organized by Royal Norwegian Embassy and Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company 1 (PECC1), under the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) with the attendance of  Norweiginan Ambassador designate, Ms Grete Lochen, Commercial Counsellor Mr Harald Naevdal, General Director of EVN PECC1 Mr Pham Nguyen Hung, representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and over 70 participants from the EVN and its subsidiaries, independent power plant owners, construction companies, private investors from Vietnam and Laos, suppliers and consultants and other stakeholders.

At the seminar, an energy consultant of the World Bank presents an overview of Vietnam’s solar energy, highlighting the achievements of Vietnam’s solar energy sector as well as its development perspectives.  

As Norway is among the leading countries in research and development for solar energy, speakers from the Norwegian companies share with the Vietnamese counterparts and guests Norway’s most advanced energy solutions including solar power, in particular the efficient, low cost and durable solutions for floating solar.

Despite being a relatively new industry, it has seen impressive progress. The technology is based on modified silicon solar modules deployed on special floating structures. This technology is particularly useful for the agriculture-based countries where land might be a big constraint for the solar power projects.

“The Vietnamese market potential is huge. There are vast areas of rivers and lakes as well as the existing hydropower reservoirs that can be lined with our floating solar solutions. This means solar PV can be built out on a massive scale without impacting farmland and local ecosystem,” said Director Asia of Ocean Sun Mr Are Gloersen.

Vietnam solar energy sector is sparked by the issuance of the new solar feed-in tariff (FIT) and the standard Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in 2017. According to Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade, 8,000MW of utility scale solar power projects have been added in the National Master Plan for Power Development, another 10,000 MW are in the waiting list.

“Therefore, the Norwegian companies are eager to look for opportunities to cooperate, invest in and develop solar projects with the Vietnamese counterparts. I hope in the near future, our businesses can connect and untap the potential of our bilateral cooperation in this sector,” said Norway’s Ambassador designate Grete Lochen in her welcoming remarks.

This seminar marks the beginning of the one-week mission of the Norwegian companies. During this trip, they are planning to meet with local businesses, concerned agencies as well as potential investors in Vietnam. The mission includes representatives from Ocean Sun, Norfund, Multiconsult, DNVGL and Scatec Solar.