EU helps Vietnam ensure power access in different areas
VOV.VN - The European Union (EU) will help Vietnam to ensure electricity access in rural, mountainous and island areas via the 108 million EUR Energy Sector Policy Support Programme using its non-refundable aid.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh made the announcement at a policy dialogue on the Programme in Hanoi on May 4.
The programme is designed to guarantee sustainable access to energy in Vietnamese rural, mountainous and island areas and build a more sustainable energy sector by encouraging the efficient use of clean and renewable energy.
99 percent of Vietnam’s population has had access to the national grid. The Vietnamese Government has set a target of providing the remaining 1 percent of population with access to electricity by 2020, Minister Tuan Anh said, adding that Vietnam is striving to shift to clean energy towards a green economy.
The country desires to receive technical support in connecting renewable energy sources with the national grid and it is placing priority on effective energy saving and switching to green economy. However, greater efforts should be made in the process, he stressed.
The minister also urged the EU to assist Vietnam in effectively carrying out projects on high-capacity equipment market, energy services, effective energy saving, smart grids and smart cities.
EU Delegation representatives said issues regarding legal framework, finance, action plans and high-quality workforce training to realize joint plans should be taken into account.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnamese government pledges to cut 8% of greenhouse gas emission by 2030. The fall may surge to 25% if the country receives more support from international organisations in this regard.