EU supports Vietnam to improve energy access in disadvantaged areas

The MOIT and EU Delegation to Vietnam discuss the implementation of an EU-funded programme to increase sustainable access to energy in rural, mountainous and island areas across Vietnam.

On May 4, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), in coordination with the Delegation of the EU to Vietnam, held a policy dialogue to discuss the implementation of the aforementioned programme with non-refundable ODA funded by the EU.

It targets to increase sustainable access to power in rural, mountainous and island areas and to build a more sustainable energy sector by promoting energy efficiency and the use of clean and renewable energy.

MOIT Minister Tran Tuan Anh said that in Vietnam 99% of the population have access to the national grid, yet about 1% have no access to electricity. Therefore, the Government aims to set aside some of its budget to invest in measures to ensure that almost all islanders and locals in mountainous and disadvantaged areas have access to electricity by 2020.

Vietnam is striving to not only turn to green and clean energy, but also to a green economy, making it the nation’s top development direction, the minister affirmed, adding that Vietnam wants technical assistance for connecting renewable energy to the national grid.

He also asked the EU for their support in effective implementation of a market conversion towards high-performance equipment, energy efficiency and smart electricity.

A representative from the EU delegation said that the two sides would need to discuss further on the issues related to Vietnam's legal, financial and personnel framework, as well as programmes and action plans, along with training high quality human resources to ensure the implementation of the schemes reached by both sides./.

NDO