Renewable energy development takes centre stage at conference

Hanoi (VNA) - A renewable energy conference took place in Hanoi on Feb. 19 to
discuss the establishment of a programme to better support the development of wind
energy in Vietnam .

The conference was jointly organised by the German Technical Corporation (GTZ) and
the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

According to the Deputy Head of the Energy Department under the ministry, Le Tuan
Phong, just 150-200W of the nation's electricity is generated by wind turbines
despite a predicted 10 percent growth in demand by 2020.

Several wind power projects, backed by both local and foreign investors, are
currently being carried out in central Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan provinces with an
expected output capacity of 6-150MW, Phong said. However, there are currently no
supporting mechanisms in place for the wind energy sector to prevent risks for
investors, he added.

A master plan regarding the development of renewable energy sources, which has
just been submitted to the Government by the MoIT, states that future priority
will be given to low-cost power generation projects, such as small-scale hydro
power plants and waste treatment projects.

According to the plan, renewable energy is expected to generate 3 percent of the
country's total power by 2015, and 4 percent by 2025.

The ministry has also proposed financial incentives to encourage the development of
renewable energy sources, including a corporate tax exemption scheme for the next
10-15 years and the introduction of a natural resources tax for power generated
from renewable energy sources.

The GTZ is working alongside the MoIT to formulate a programme to support the
future development of wind power in Vietnam .

GTZ representative, Angelika Wasielke, said that her organisation would continue to
help Vietnam to organise training courses and fairs on renewable energy in order
to introduce Vietnam 's wind energy potential to possible investors in this
sector.-Enditem