Pilot project to remove difficulties for offshore wind and gas power projects

On the morning of January 25, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a meeting to listen to reports and resolve difficulties and obstacles in offshore gas and wind power projects in the Power Plan VIII.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha agreed to establish an interdisciplinary working group to remove difficulties and obstacles and soon pilot a number of offshore wind power projects - Photo: VGP/Minh Khoi

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the Power Plan VIII is a plan to organize investment in power source, transmission, and load projects, under the direction, management, and operation of the power system by the State management agency, ensuring energy security and safety to serve socio -economic development. On that basis, the State "places orders" and selects the best and most effective investors.

According to the Power Plan VIII, from now until 2030, the total additional capacity from gas-fired power projects (30,424 MW) and offshore wind power (6,000 MW) accounts for about 50% of the total capacity needed to be added, playing a very important role in supplying electricity to the national power system. At the same time, the development of gas-fired power and offshore wind power will help Vietnam fulfill its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said that during the negotiation and implementation of gas-fired power projects, investors had a number of proposals on commitments to purchase a minimum amount of electricity; converting gas prices to electricity prices; long-term gas purchase mechanisms, etc.

Regarding offshore wind power projects, the Ministry of Industry and Trade found that there are some shortcomings, inconsistencies, and inconsistencies in legal regulations on assigning sea areas to organizations and individuals using non-state budget funds to conduct investigations, surveys, exploration, and measurements; assigning sea areas to foreign investors; bidding and selecting investors; interference and conflicts with sea exploitation and use activities; access to credit capital, transmission systems, and electricity price negotiations; ensuring national security and defense, etc.

Along with the urgent amendment and removal of legal issues, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien proposed that, in the immediate future, it is necessary to study and consider the option of assigning state-owned corporations and groups, such as Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) and Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) to conduct surveys, investigations, measurements, and determination of offshore wind power potential.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung said that to ensure the progress and goals set in the 8th Power Plan, it is necessary to implement investment procedures for offshore gas and wind power projects, in parallel with amending and supplementing appropriate legal regulations.

Leaders of ministries and sectors discuss difficulties and obstacles in implementing offshore gas and wind power projects according to Power Plan VIII - Photo: VGP/Minh Khoi

Agreeing with this opinion, Vice Chairman of the State Capital Management Committee at Enterprises Ho Sy Hung proposed to pilot the implementation of specific offshore gas and wind power projects to serve as a basis for practical research, propose amendments and supplements to perfect the legal corridor.

Some other opinions said that it is necessary to assess the comprehensive impact on the recommendations and proposals of ministries and branches at the meeting, to choose a solution to remove difficulties for offshore wind power projects in terms of law; establish a research team, propose new mechanisms and policies; urgently make a list of offshore wind power projects according to the Power Plan VIII...

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that investment in offshore gas and wind power projects is a new field for which current regulations do not exist or are unclear, so it is necessary to develop new mechanisms and policies, not just stop at the pilot level.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that the Power Plan VIII is a plan to organize investment in power source, transmission, and load projects, ensuring energy security and safety to serve socio-economic development - Photo: VGP/Minh Khoi

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated that resolving difficulties in gas and wind power projects is closely related to implementing the goals of the 8th Power Plan, ensuring energy security for socio-economic development, and an environment to attract investment.

The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and energy corporations to review and consider all investment procedures for gas-fired power projects, including the Government's long-term, principled commitments to investors; and propose solutions to reduce the time for implementing the process and procedures for gas-fired power project investment.

Regarding the orientation to remove difficulties and shortcomings in implementing offshore wind power projects, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that, based on initial assessment data on offshore wind power potential, the Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to develop a pilot project to explore, investigate, and survey the use of the State budget; approve policies, select investors, and licensing conditions for offshore wind power projects.

The Deputy Prime Minister also agreed to establish an inter-sectoral working group, headed by the Minister of Industry and Trade, with the participation of leaders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Transport, etc. to remove difficulties and obstacles, and soon pilot a number of offshore wind power projects.

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/lap-de-an-thi-diem-de-go-kho-cac-du-an-dien-khi-dien-gio-ngoai-khoi-102240125141615952.htm

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chinh-tri/640127-lap-de-an-thi-diem-de-go-kho-cac-du-an-dien-khi-dien-gio-ngoai-khoi.html