The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade (MOIT) Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan and Vietnam Danish Ambassador Nicolai Prytz. This marked the third session of the Steering Committee for the Vietnam-Denmark Energy Partnership Program Phase 3. The first meeting took place on April 19, 2022, and the second meeting was held on March 9, 2023, at the MOIT's headquarters.

In his statement at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support from Denmark. He affirmed that the technical assistance programs and projects sponsored by the Danish government in the past have contributed to promoting sustainable development in Vietnam's energy sector. This involves enhancing the exploration and development of clean and renewable energy sources, promoting the use of energy efficiency and conservation practices, and contributing to the implementation of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets under the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as Vietnam's commitments at COP26 and the most recent COP28

I hope that in 2024, the DEPP3 will implement more positive activities, making substantial and effective contributions to help Vietnam's energy sector transition towards green growth, reduce carbon emissions through the development of a green energy system, operate a flexible power system, efficiently enforce policies and measures promoting energy efficiency and conservation. This will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam, moving towards the government's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050." - Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan expressed.

From the Danish Embassy's perspective, Ambassador Nicolai Prytz emphasized that the Vietnam-Denmark Energy Partnership Program is one of the focal points of cooperation between Vietnam and Denmark. Vietnam has actively participated in this program. The Vietnam-Denmark collaboration has celebrated 10 years of partnership, and he is confident that we will achieve even more cooperative results. Today's meeting holds significant importance in the context of both countries intensifying joint activities, elevating the bilateral relationship to new heights, and opening up numerous new opportunities and collaborations in areas such as healthcare and education.

Regarding the achievements in 2023 of Component 1, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (MOIT), mentioned that the unit had completed and published the Technology Handbooks 2023 in November 2023. These handbooks include new technologies on renewable fuels, energy storage, and Power-to-X (conversion of electrical energy to other forms of energy), along with an updated handbook on power generation technology.

Additionally, the Authority organized a consultation workshop with relevant stakeholders to present the preliminary results of the Energy Outlook Report Vietnam 2023 (EOR23) in September 2023. To support modeling work and prepare for the construction of the EOR23 report, the Authority has improved the TIMES and Balmorel models, including redesigning the TIMES model to be compatible with VEDA 2.0
It is expected that the 2023 EOR Report will be completed and announced in the first quarter of 2024.

For Component 2, the fundamental activities have been implemented and completed on schedule according to the outlined plan. Sharing plans for activities in 2024, Mr. Tran Tue Quang, Deputy Director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (MOIT), mentioned that the Department will undertake a series of activities such as: Strengthening regulations on power grids in coordination with the Vietnam Electricity Group, the National Load Dispatch Center (NLDC); cybersecurity training; sharing experiences in establishing pricing frameworks for sources of biomass power, potential hydropower, etc.

"We will organize an internship program for officials from the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam and the National Load Dispatch Center at Denmark on the theme of integrating renewable energy, covering forecasting, regulation, and the electricity market (including ancillary services), connection requirements, etc. At the same time, we will share knowledge about ancillary services to strengthen knowledge and enhance the capabilities of the personnel at the National Load Dispatch Center," emphasized by Mr. Quang

Regarding Component 3, Mr. Hoang Van Tam, Representative of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development, stated that the unit will continue to complete some activities under the 2023 Plan, while also implementing new activities according to the 2024 Plan. Specifically, continuing to support the Ministry of Industry and Trade in assessing compliance with current regulations on energy efficiency, focusing on key energy users, expected to be completed in the first quarter - third quarter; developing the draft strategy on the sustainability of the Voluntary Agreement Pilot Energy Efficiency Program (VAS) after the completion of the DEPP 3; organizing study visits to Denmark on energy efficiency; evaluating the application of technology in three industrial sectors; etc.

 

During the meeting, representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade provided updates on energy policies, including the implementation of the National Power Development Plan VIII, renewable energy development, and offshore wind power. In addition, delegates also exchanged and discussed various related issues such as the vision and priorities towards the end of the DEPP3 Program; updates on the Energy Transition Program (including updates from the Danish Embassy on the Joint Statement on Green Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Denmark); etc.