At the Q4/2024 Regular Press Conference, Deputy Director of the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Bùi Quốc Hùng, stated that the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is continuing to develop and finalize mechanisms and policies to promote renewable energy in accordance with the revised Electricity Law, which will take effect on February 1, 2025.
On the afternoon of January 7, the MOIT held the Q4/2024 Regular Press Conference and a New Year 2025 meeting with the press. Deputy Minister Nguyễn Sinh Nhật Tân chaired the event.
The press conference was attended by representatives from the leadership of various departments and units within the MOIT, as well as members of the media.
According to Deputy Director Bùi Quốc Hùng, after the National Assembly passed the revised Electricity Law, set to take effect on February 1, 2025, the MOIT assigned its departments to develop a series of policies and mechanisms.
Regarding assigning EVN to develop nuclear power projects, the MOIT has submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister. In terms of renewable energy policies, the MOIT proposed several policies to the government last year. Notably, for self-consumption rooftop solar power, the government issued Decree 135, allowing individuals to sell surplus electricity generated during self-consumption. The capacity must not exceed 20%, and electricity prices are based on the average price of the previous year. Additionally, Decree 180 was issued to regulate direct power purchase agreements between electricity customers and renewable energy project investors, such as solar and wind energy.
“The MOIT is committed to building and perfecting mechanisms and policies to facilitate renewable energy development under the revised Electricity Law, effective February 1, 2025. These mechanisms will meet the needs of renewable energy investors and electricity users alike,” said Deputy Director Bùi Quốc Hùng.
Nguyễn Quang Minh, Head of the Electricity Market Division at the Electricity Regulatory Authority, added that to implement legal documents related to the revised Electricity Law, the MOIT has developed 29 documents, including seven decrees, two decisions by the Prime Minister, and 20 circulars. The Electricity Regulatory Authority has contributed 21 of these 29 documents, all of which must be completed and issued by February 1, 2025.
Deputy Minister Nguyễn Sinh Nhật Tân emphasized that the revised Electricity Law, effective February 1, 2025, will establish a legal framework and mechanisms to encourage not only renewable energy projects but also other power sources and electricity projects.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged the urgency of issuing the revised Electricity Law. However, implementing a power project is complex, often taking at least five years under current timelines. Given the urgent need for power supply, mechanisms are necessary to promote investment planning, source selection, and development to ensure timeliness.
The Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy has prepared two decrees:
- Investment planning and selection of investors for power projects.
- Mechanisms and policies for developing renewable and new energy sources.
The Electricity Regulatory Authority was tasked with developing four decrees and two decisions, focusing on pricing policies for new and renewable energy sources. The authority is also preparing two decrees on power planning, grid development, and investment proposals for power business projects.
The Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy has submitted these drafts to the MOIT, which has forwarded them to the Ministry of Justice for review and feedback.
Deputy Director Bùi Quốc Hùng noted that the drafts for the two decrees regarding the revised Electricity Law and renewable energy have been published for public comment on the MOIT’s website and the government’s portal. He encouraged journalists to study the drafts and provide feedback to improve these regulations.
Regarding the Ninh Thuận nuclear power plant development, the Department of Science and Technology recently reported on human resource development for the nuclear program. Following the National Assembly’s approval to continue nuclear projects in Ninh Thuận, the MOIT submitted reports to the Prime Minister. These included establishing a Steering Committee for the Ninh Thuận Nuclear Power Plant to address cross-sectoral issues and integrating the projects into Power Development Plan VIII.
The national power development plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2045 (Power Development Plan VIII), has already been issued. The government has released the first two implementation plans and assigned the MOIT to review and adjust the plan as mandated by the Planning Law, which requires revisions every five years.
The MOIT has submitted proposals to the Prime Minister for reviewing and updating Power Development Plan VIII, including appointing a consultancy firm and addressing unresolved issues, such as unlisted hydropower projects or omitted solar and wind energy projects.
The Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy has collaborated with local governments to review and align local plans with the broader adjustments to Power Development Plan VIII. This includes incorporating previously unlisted hydropower and renewable energy projects to address gaps and optimize planning.
Source: Công Thương Newspaper
