Opening the way for green energy transition in industrial zones in the capital

(Chinhphu.vn) - Hanoi is facing the pressure of rapidly increasing load and increasingly strict emission reduction requirements. Rooftop solar power in industrial parks is considered an open direction, helping businesses reduce costs and helping the capital move closer to the green growth target.

Experts say that rooftop solar power is a reasonable solution for industrial zones in the capital because it creates a supply right at the point of consumption. Illustrative photo.

Identify barriers to development

Hanoi 's electricity demand is constantly increasing at a high level, especially in industrial zones - where many production activities with high consumption intensity are concentrated. In the context of escalating electricity prices and strict emission reduction requirements, rooftop solar power is considered by experts to be a suitable solution for both businesses and the capital's power system.

Dr. Le Xuan Rao - Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations, commented that this source of electricity is "at the right time, in the right place, and on demand". On-site production helps businesses reduce costs, reduce dependence on the grid during peak hours and reduce pressure on the city's transmission system. In addition to economic efficiency, the rooftop solar panels also become a "second roof", helping to reduce 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in the factory, creating a more comfortable working environment, thereby increasing labor productivity.

However, the development speed of rooftop solar power in Hanoi is still not commensurate with its potential. According to Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Dinh Thong - Director of the New Energy Center, by 2024, the total rooftop solar power capacity of the city will only reach 102.9 MWp, accounting for only 3.2% of the whole country. Hanoi is located in an area with low radiation, affecting the efficiency of power generation, but the demand for clean electricity in industrial parks is increasing sharply, creating pressure to promote this model.

The biggest problem lies in the legal corridor. Mr. Nguyen Khai Van - Deputy Head of the Energy Management Department (Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade), said that self-production and self-consumption projects are almost unable to sell surplus electricity to the grid, while direct electricity trading projects are stuck with the condition of a minimum consumption output of 200,000 kWh per month, a threshold that many businesses do not meet. Investment cooperation and factory roof rental models still lack specific regulations.

From the perspective of infrastructure management, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Hanoi High-Tech Parks and Industrial - Export Processing Zones Tran Anh Tuan said that enterprises still face difficulties in construction procedures, fire prevention and fighting requirements, connection conditions and technical standards. Many cooperation models are not recognized by the current document system, leading to confusion in implementation.

These barriers show the urgent need to improve the legal framework and infrastructure, before rooftop solar power can truly become a driving force in the energy transition.

Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations Le Xuan Rao spoke at the workshop "Solutions for developing rooftop solar power in industrial processing zones to help businesses save energy and improve competitiveness". Photo: VGP.

Green energy solutions for businesses in the capital

At the recent workshop on "Solutions for developing rooftop solar power in industrial parks to help businesses save energy and improve competitiveness", organized by the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations in collaboration with the Vietnam Energy Technology Development Investment Company - D&I Energy, representatives of management agencies affirmed the need to innovate the mechanism in a more open and transparent direction. Mr. Nguyen Khai Van said that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is studying to reduce the output threshold of large electricity customers to 100,000 kWh per month to expand the subjects participating in the direct electricity purchase and sale mechanism. The draft Resolution on removing difficulties in energy development in the 2026-2030 period also proposes to grant the authority to adjust electricity planning to the provincial People's Committee, helping to shorten the time for processing procedures.

Hanoi currently has 9 industrial parks in operation and 3 industrial parks under construction. With large factory roof areas, this is a valuable resource for developing rooftop solar power. However, after Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg expired, from 2021 to now, the city has only developed 118 MWp, mostly following the self-production - self-consumption model.

The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade amend relevant regulations, supplement technical criteria, and encourage the integration of storage solutions to increase load regulation capacity and reduce the risk of grid overload.

Deputy Director of the Management Board of Hanoi High-Tech Parks and Industrial Parks Tran Anh Tuan emphasized that rooftop solar power is suitable for the city's green growth orientation and the need for proactive power sources of enterprises. The implementation of this model not only helps reduce production costs, but also limits the risk of system overload, and improves working conditions for workers.

Along with these benefits are a series of legal problems. Mr. Tuan said that the procedures, investment cooperation models and technical requirements are not yet synchronized. The Management Board is committed to accompanying businesses in reviewing documents, recommending policy adjustments and promoting the construction of appropriate models, aiming at the goal of forming green - clean - circular industrial parks.

From a scientific perspective, Associate Professor Dr. To Duy Phuong - Chairman of the Hanoi Foundry and Metallurgy Association, analyzed that if deployed on the right scale and technique, rooftop solar power can supply about 16% of the total electricity demand of the industrial park. The annual increase in electricity prices shows that the economic efficiency of the model is increasingly clear. He suggested that businesses invest in smart monitoring systems and combine energy storage solutions to improve operational efficiency.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Van Top - former Vice President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, predicted that Vietnam could reach the target of 15,000 MWp of rooftop solar power in industrial zones by 2030 if there is a specialized decree to create a stable and long-term legal corridor. He proposed piloting a zero-emission industrial zone model, applying comprehensive energy management and supporting businesses to access international renewable energy certificates to increase export value.

Dr. Le Xuan Rao emphasized that as the load in industrial zones increases rapidly, along with the trend of developing electrified transportation, the pressure on the capital's power system will increase. According to Mr. Rao, rooftop solar power is a reasonable solution because it creates a supply source right at the point of consumption. According to him, rooftop solar power will continue to play a pivotal role in the capital's energy transition, contributing to the goal of developing clean energy and green growth.

Minh Anh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/mo-loi-chuyen-dich-nang-luong-xanh-trong-khu-cong-nghiep-o-thu-do-103251202170017186.htm