Increase power access in rural, mountainous, island areas

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said that 99% of the Vietnamese population has been connected to the national grid, during a policy dialogue on the Programme held in Hanoi on May 4. The Vietnamese Government aims to provide the remaining 1% of the population with access to electricity by 2020.

The EUR108 millionprogramme aims to enhance sustainable access to energy in rural, mountainous and island areas, while building a more sustainable energy sector via encouraging the efficient use of energy and the consumption of clean and renewable energy.

Minister Tuan Anh affirmed that Vietnam is shifting to both clean energy and a green economy.

Anh said that Vietnam wants to receive technical support in connecting renewable energy sources with the national grid, adding that the country is giving priority to effective energy saving and switching to a green economy, but more drastic and synchronous actions are needed in the process.

The minister also asked for the EU’s assistance in effectively implementing projects regarding high-capacity equipment markets, energy services, effective energy saving, smart grids and smart cities.

Representatives of the EU Delegation said that both sides need to further discuss issues such as the legal framework, finance, action plans and the trainingof a high-quality workforce to carry out their joint plans.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnamese government is committed to cutting 8% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The reduction could be increased to 25% if the country receives support in the framework of its bilateral and multilateral cooperation with international organisations.