HCM CITY — Solar power has become an alternative to fossil energy in many places around the world, experts said.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy, especially solar power, will grow explosively in the coming years, with China, India and the US being the leading countries.

In Việt Nam electricity generation remains traditional, with coal, hydropower and gas being the main sources.

But with its economy growing rapidly in the long run it needs to have specific policies for building a balanced energy structure through development of renewables, they said.

Under the country’s energy development plan, renewables will account for 30.6 per cent and 32.7 per cent of electricity by 2025 and 2035 and carbon emissions will be cut by 12 per cent and 18 per cent.

Speaking at a conference last Friday in HCM City, Đặng Nguyên Phương of the Southern Power Corporation said the Government has policies to encourage investment in renewable energy such as wind, solar and biomass and in energy saving.

Việt Nam has great potential for solar energy development, and the cost of technology and equipment is falling sharply, creating momentum for the development of this clean energy, he said.

Nguyễn Văn Bé, chairman of the Hepza (HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority) Businesses Association, said increasing rooftop solar power generation for commercial and industrial use is one of the key strategies to achieve the Government’s renewables goals and improve the reliability of power supply.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Thảo of the Linh Trung Export Processing Zone in HCM City said solar rooftop would also help manufacturers significantly reduce electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Đỗ Thu Ngân, permanent deputy general director of TTC Group, said TTC Energy JSC, a subsidiary of his company, has partnered with local and international financial institutions and leading global solar power equipment companies such as Sharp, ABB, Solar World, and Recom to diversify product sources to meet customers’ needs.

TTC Energy has installed 12 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar rooftop systems at shopping centres, supermarkets, hotels, condominiums, office buildings, private residences, factories and industrial parks, and export processing zones, equivalent to a reduction of over 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Its key projects were at Linh Trung Export Processing Zone, Sense City Department Store, Đầm Sen Entertainment Complex, and Việt Long Hưng factory.

Ngân said TTC Energy aims to achieve a total of 30 MWp by 2020 through installations in many provinces and cities around the country and in neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as of last July, 748 rooftop solar projects had been installed with a total capacity of 11.55 MWp, mostly in HCM City.

It said investing in rooftop solar systems is among measures to ensure energy supply in the coming time, especially in areas that are at high risk of power shortage.

The conference titled “Solar rooftop - Green, Clean, Saving solutions for Industrial and Commercial Sectors” was organised by TTC Energy and the Hepza Businesses Association.

TTC Energy has signed agreements with local and international companies for solar power equipment and solar rooftop installation. — VNS