Vietnam: the PDP8 plan to promote the growth of renewable energy

Vietnam's Prime Minister has given the green light to a groundbreaking $134.7 billion energy plan to meet the country's growing energy needs and ensure its long-term energy security.

Share:

Vietnam ‘s Prime Minister has given the green light to a comprehensive energy plan that aims to revolutionize the country’s energy landscape. The Ministry of Industry and Trade announced Monday that the plan, known as PDP8, will require a substantial investment of $134.7 billion over the next decade (2021-2030).

The PDP8 plan: a strategic project for Vietnam’s energy future

This ambitious initiative aims to strengthen Vietnam’s energy infrastructure by establishing new power plants and grids, enabling the nation to meet its growing energy needs and ensure long-term energy security.

The PDP8 plan is strategically designed to match Vietnam’s projected gross domestic product (GDP) economic growth of 7 percent per year over the specified period. By harnessing this anticipated economic expansion, the country aims to develop a robust energy sector capable of efficiently supplying energy to its industries, businesses and homes. To achieve this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to exploit renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy.

According to the ministry’s statement, Vietnam envisions a future where 50 percent of office buildings and residences will be powered by rooftop solar panels by 2030. This ambitious target reflects the country’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices and reducing its dependence on conventional energy sources. In addition, Vietnam aims to capitalize on its renewable energy potential by producing green energy for export, with a target of 5-10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030.

Modernizing Vietnam’s energy infrastructure: PDP8 proposes a sustainable transformation

While the ministry’s statement does not provide full details on the plan, a draft of the PDP8 obtained by Reuters highlights key aspects of the initiative. The project reveals that Vietnam plans to more than double its current power generation capacity from 69 GW in 2020 to an impressive 158 GW by 2030. This significant expansion will be mainly driven by power plants using domestic gas and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), representing about 23.6% of the country’s energy mix, or the equivalent of 37.33 GW by 2030.

Coal, a traditional energy source, is expected to account for 19% of Vietnam’s energy mix by 2030, followed closely by hydropower with 18.5%. The project also highlights wind power as a key component, contributing 17.6% of the energy mix, while solar power is expected to account for 13.0%.

At this time, the Department of Industry and Commerce has not responded to requests for comment on the project. However, it is clear that the PDP8 plan reflects Vietnam’s determination to embrace renewable energy and upgrade its energy infrastructure. By harnessing solar, wind and other green energy sources, the country is able to achieve greater energy independence, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

Nearly USD92bn will be invested by major American and international groups in new data centres and energy infrastructure, responding to the surge in electricity demand linked to the rise of artificial intelligence.
Nouakchott has endured lengthy power interruptions for several weeks, highlighting the financial and technical limits of the Mauritanian Electricity Company as Mauritania aims to widen access and green its mix by 2030.
Between 2015 and 2024, four multilateral climate funds committed nearly eight bn USD to clean energy, attracting private capital through concessional terms while Africa and Asia absorbed more than half of the volume.
The Global Energy Policies Hub shows that strategic reserves, gas obligations, cybersecurity and critical-mineral policies are expanding rapidly, lifting oil coverage to 98 % of world imports.
According to a report by Ember, the Chinese government’s appliance trade-in campaign could double residential air-conditioner efficiency gains in 2025 and trim up to USD943mn from household electricity spending this year.
Washington is examining sectoral taxes on polysilicon and drones, two supply chains dominated by China, after triggering Section 232 to measure industrial dependency risks.
The 2025-2034 development plan presented by Terna includes strengthening Sicily’s grid, new interconnections, and major projects to support the region’s growing renewable energy capacity.
Terna and NPC Ukrenergo have concluded a three-year partnership in Rome aimed at strengthening the integration of the Ukrainian grid into the pan-European system, with an in-depth exchange of technological and regulatory expertise.
GE Vernova has secured a major contract to modernise the Kühmoos substation in Germany, enhancing grid reliability and integration capacity for power flows between Germany, France and Switzerland.
The National Energy System Operator forecasts electricity demand to rise to 785 TWh by 2050, underlining the need to modernise grids and integrate more clean energy to support the UK’s energy transition.
Terna has signed a guarantee agreement with SACE and the European Investment Bank to finance the Adriatic Link project, totalling approximately €1bn ($1.08bn) and validated as a major transaction under Italian regulations.
India unveils a series of reforms on oil and gas contracts, introducing a fiscal stability clause to enhance the sector’s attractiveness for foreign companies and boost its growth ambitions in upstream energy.
The European Commission is launching a special fund of EUR2.3bn ($2.5bn) to boost Ukraine’s reconstruction and attract private capital to the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Asia dominated global new renewable energy capacity in 2024 with 71% of installations, while Africa recorded limited growth of only 7.2%, according to the latest annual report from IRENA.
US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act dramatically changes energy investment rules, imposing restrictions on renewables while favouring hydrocarbons, according to a recent report by consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie.
On July 8, 2025, the Senate validated the Gremillet bill, aimed at structuring France's energy transition with clear objectives for nuclear power, renewable energies, and energy renovation.
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru significantly increase renewable electricity production, reaching nearly 70% of the regional electricity mix, according to a recent Wood Mackenzie study on Latin America's energy sector.
The Canadian government announces an investment of more than $40mn to fund 13 energy projects led by Indigenous communities across the country, aiming to improve energy efficiency and increase local renewable energy use.
The German Ministry of Economy plans to significantly expand aid aimed at reducing industrial electricity costs, increasing eligible companies from 350 to 2,200, at an estimated cost of €4bn ($4.7bn).
A major electricity blackout paralyzed large parts of the Czech Republic, interrupting transport and essential networks, raising immediate economic concerns, and highlighting the vulnerability of energy infrastructures to unforeseen technical incidents.