The fourth Steering Committee meeting was held to evaluate the results achieved in 2024 and propose 2025-2026 implementation plans for the DEPP3 Program.
On the afternoon of January 15, 2025, the fourth Steering Committee under the Energy Partnership Program between Vietnam and Denmark 2020 - 2025 (DEPP3 Program) took place in Hanoi. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Ministry of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long and Danish Ambassador in Vietnam Nicolai Prytz.
Representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade participating in the meeting included the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam, and the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development. From the Danish side, the meeting welcomed representatives from the Embassy of Denmark and the Danish Energy Agency. Additionally, the meeting was attended by technical staff and experts from both parties.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Long, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Industry and Trade delivered the opening speech at the meeting.
In his remarks at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long extended his sincere appreciation to the Danish Ambassador, the long-term technical advisors of the Program, and colleagues from the Danish Energy Agency. He highlighted Denmark's pivotal role as one of Vietnam's most significant partners in the energy transition journey. The Deputy Minister emphasized that today's meeting serves as an invaluable opportunity to review the progress and accomplishments of the Program over the past year and to chart a clear vision for the next phase of cooperation.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long stated that Vietnam is entering an era of growth and transformation, aiming to achieve double-digit economic growth, particularly reflected in the energy sector's expansion. The country will prioritize two main areas: energy transition, focusing on increasing the share of renewable energy and promoting energy conservation and efficiency, which is of significant importance.
Mr. Nicolai Pryts, Danish Ambassador gave his speech at the meeting.
In alignment with Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long’s remarks, the Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Nicolai Prytz, emphasized the importance of energy efficiency in the current context. He noted that this area is a key priority for the international community and has been a focal point of Denmark's investments, which achieves positive and promising outcomes.
Over the past year, the DEPP3 Program has achieved many positive results. The Ambassador believed that under the direct leadership of Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long, energy cooperation between the two sides would become even more dynamic and yield even more positive outcomes.
The Energy Partnership Program between Vietnam and Denmark 2020–2025 period (DEPP3) is a project funded by the Danish Government, with the Ministry of Industry and Trade as the governing agency. The program aims to support Vietnam in developing a low-carbon pathway related to energy in support of their NDC and Vietnam upscales NDC mitigation targets and related measures by 2025.
The meeting focused on evaluating the program's progress in 2024 and aligning the implementation plan for the remaining period of the Program.
The DEPP3 program consists of three components: Component 1 - Capacity Development for long-term energy sector planning, Component 2 - Capacity Development for Renewable Energy Integration into the Power System, Component 3 - Low carbon development in the industrial sector.
In 2024, all three components of the project were actively implemented and obtained many positive results. During the meeting, Mr. Loui Algren, Country Manager from the Danish Energy Agency, presented a report on the progress of the Program’s activities in 2024.
The results showed that Component 1, led by the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy, successfully finalized and launched the Energy Outlook report; a report on developing infrastructure plans for offshore wind industry ports and job creation in Vietnam; a catalogue and training activities on using the TIMES Vietnam model, along with study visits in Denmark to share knowledge on Power-to-X technology and offshore wind development.
In Component 2, led by the Electricity Regulatory Authority, the agency organized a cybersecurity training course in the energy sector; expert meetings with stakeholders on strengthening compliance with renewable energy regulations; the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure; contributions to several regulations and draft amendments to the Electricity Law; the selection of two thermal power plants to participate in flexible power plant operations; and the implementation of knowledge-sharing activities on ancillary services with the National System and Market Operator (NSMO).
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang, Director General of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development presented the report of Component 3: Low carbon development in industry.
In Component 3, led by the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development, the pilot implementation of the VAS Program was completed, along with the evaluation of the initial phase and related recommendations. The program also developed and finalized guidance materials and technology catalogues for DEPP3 Program; carried out technical assistance activities from the Center of Excellence for Energy Efficiency (CoE); conducted 10 energy audits in 10 selected industries and assessed the application of energy-saving technologies in four industrial sectors/subsectors. In September 2024, a study visit to Denmark was organized for stakeholders to exchange and learn from experiences in implementing energy audits. Notably, the concept of Voluntary Agreements and the Energy Efficiency Fund was incorporated into the draft amendment of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy.
While the components achieved positive outcomes, some activities scheduled for 2024 remain unfinished. As a result, these pending activities will be carried over into 2025 and completed before the conclusion of the DEPP3 Program in March 2026.
DEPP3 Program
