Denmark to Assist Vietnam in Harnessing Wind Energy

Denmar assist Vietnam1 Denmark to Assist Vietnam in Harnessing Wind Energy

Vietnam Map1 Denmark to Assist Vietnam in Harnessing Wind Energy

Positioned in a subtropical monsoon climate and having a long coastline, Vietnam has the largest potential for wind energy development of the four main countries in the region, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. The World Bank (WB), in an Asia energy valuation programme report, estimated the total capacity of wind power in Vietnam at 713,000 MW.

Because of limited natural resources and a general shortfall in electricity, wind power has become a valuable energy source for the country.

While wind power cannot completely replace traditional electricity sources such as coal-fire, oil-fuelled, hydroelectric and nuclear power sources, it can provide billions of kilowatts of electricity, replacing or reducing reliance on traditional power sources. However, in spite of holding many advantages to develop wind-driven energy, Vietnam has been slow to embrace renewable energies. According to economists, Vietnam will have to import coal from foreign countries to feed its power plants from 2012. Power generated from renewable energy sources only accounts for 2.3 percent of Viet Nam’s annual electricity output and wind power makes up a fairly small proportion.

Bin Thuan1 Denmark to Assist Vietnam in Harnessing Wind Energy

 

The very first wind project, on Phu Quy Island in the central province of Binh Thuan (left), was a small but very significant step. The plant has capacity of 6MW and includes three 2MW turbines. The plant produces about 25.4 million of kWh annually. It will connect with the 22kV network and work smoothly with the diesel power plant located on the island. The project occupies permanent and temporary areas of 0.74ha and 0.87ha respectively. However, the power is still switched off on the island each evening due to insufficient or unreliable electricity supply.

Vietnamese Power1 Denmark to Assist Vietnam in Harnessing Wind EnergyVietnamese Wind Farm1 Denmark to Assist Vietnam in Harnessing Wind Energy

A year ago, 20 delegates from different Vietnamese Ministries and Governmental bodies such as Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Government Office, Binh Thuan Wind Energy Association, Energy Association, Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan and Lam Dong Province as well as selected wind energy developers, went on a study tour to China.

Sponsored by the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conversation and Nuclear Safety, Vietnamese representatives took part in a number of meetings in Beijing, from 6 to 9 December 2010. This month, on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic relations between Denmark and Vietnam, the Danish Embassy in Vietnam organised a Wind Power Seminar – “Wind Power for Vietnam: The Path towards Clean Energy”, which discussed the importance of harnessing wind power for Vietnam. It seems to have proved very productive and Denmark will now help Vietnam build and operate wind farms in provinces and cities across the country.

It also plans to transfer technology and supply necessary equipment for Vietnam’s wind power industry. Viet Nam has developed 37 wind power projects, of which one is operational, one is under construction and the remaining projects are calling for investment.

 

Jorn Fredsgard Sorensen1 Denmark to Assist Vietnam in Harnessing Wind Energy

Danish energy technology and financial support would help Viet Nam harness its largely untapped wind resources, said chief advisor of Danish Export Credit Agency Jorn Fredsgaard Sorensen (left).

“The energy deficit approaching in the near future makes it imperative for Viet Nam to develop alternative sources of energy and wind is part of the solution. Wind technology is a very strong sector in Denmark and we are experienced in using that expertise globally,” Sorensen told Vietnam News. He said the development of the wind sector in any country was dependent upon the feed-in tariff that the Government offers to wind farm developers. “A main requirement of feed-in tariffs is they be transparent and stable, to provide wind farm investors with the confidence required to risk their money in such projects.”

 

Sean Sutton, president of Vestas Wind Systems Asia-Pacific (left), one of the world’s biggest turbine makers, echoed this view and added that the tariff had been higher earlier in the process. “Typically, in every country—if you look at the Philippines for example, they introduce a feed-in tariff and their tariff is higher and they also have clever mechanisms through which they can reduce the tariff as efficiency and understanding improve.” “It is important to start with a higher feed-in tariff to give developers, banks and all the stakeholders an incentive to get interested,” he said. Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen found a wind partnership between two countries most promising and said Denmark was a world leader in green energy. “I am certain that Danish solutions can make Vietnam a wind energy nation.”