In the afternoon of July 9th, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a hybrid meeting regarding the supplementation and update of the plan to implement the Master Plan for National Power Development for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (Power Development Plan VIII).
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to finalize the plan to implement Power Development Plan VIII to avoid wasting enterprises’ investment resources and meet local development requirements. |
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the scientific and technical nature of this task, which entails complexities and challenges. It requires adhering to the proper sequence and timeline for investing in power source and transmission infrastructure projects as outlined in Power Development Plan VIII, while also remaining pragmatic and adaptable to ensure energy security for socio-economic development.
According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long, to ensure the development of concentrated solar power projects and implement the direct power purchase and sale mechanism, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has reviewed and proposed that the Prime Minister assign the Government Inspectorate to coordinate with relevant units to promptly address difficulties and obstacles related to 154 concentrated solar power projects subject to inspection and investigation with concluded inspection findings. This will enable localities and investors to promptly implement projects that align with the power source structure in Power Development Plan VIII.
Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with relevant units, will continue to review and identify eligible concentrated solar power projects for implementation.
Regarding wind power projects, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed excluding some projects from the plan to implement Power Development Plan VIII due to delays in local proposals, procedural issues, planning overlaps with mineral exploration areas, and other reasons.
Leaders of several localities pointed out that many projects were only slightly delayed in their proposals or had minor violations that could be rectified and did not involve criminal investigation. These projects met the criteria set by the Ministry of Industry and Trade but were still not included in the plan to implement Power Development Plan VIII. Additionally, some provinces requested additional capacity allocation for wind and solar power projects with energy storage systems, waste-to-energy projects, biomass power projects, or the inclusion of additional projects to meet the allocated capacity according to Power Development Plan VIII.
Regarding the handling of wind power projects overlapping with mineral exploration and exploitation planning areas, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien suggested that, in principle, localities could propose adjustments to the planning to align with the orientation of power development as well as mineral exploration and exploitation activities.
Concerning the projects under inspection and investigation, the Government Inspectorate affirmed that solar power projects with concluded inspection findings are no longer considered under inspection or investigation. Therefore, the Ministry of Industry and Trade should review and identify projects that have rectified and addressed violations according to inspection, examination, investigation, and audit conclusions, as well as court rulings (if any), and meet the criteria for system safety, transmission technology, and economic efficiency, to be included in the plan.
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized the view of not limiting the development of renewable energy while ensuring system safety and timely adjusting and updating Power Development Plan VIII to facilitate the transition from fossil energy to renewable energy.
The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to continue reviewing and including in the plan those solar and wind power projects without violations or those that have rectified and addressed violations according to inspection, examination, investigation, and audit conclusions, and court rulings (if any), provided they meet the criteria for system safety, transmission technology, and economic efficiency. He emphasized the importance of “not wasting enterprises’ investment resources and meeting local development requirements.”
The Ministry of Industry and Trade should facilitate localities in reviewing and reporting additional solar and wind power projects with energy storage systems, waste-to-energy projects, biomass power projects, and other eligible projects.
Regarding wind power projects overlapping with mineral exploration and exploitation planning areas, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested resolving this issue by proposing adjustments to the power development planning and mineral exploration and exploitation planning to harmonize the interests of localities, businesses, and relevant investors.
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