Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng (r) welcomes Regional Director of the World Bank (WB)'s Infrastructure Department in the East Asia and Pacific Region Ranjit Lamech in Hà Nội on Friday.— VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng met Regional Director of the World Bank (WB)'s Infrastructure Department in the East Asia and Pacific Region Ranjit Lamech and WB Country Director in Việt Nam Ousmane Dion in Hà Nội on Friday.

The Deputy PM thanked them for providing support for Việt Nam via policy consultations, official development assistance, and technical support in infrastructure, especially in energy.

Since 1995, the WB has assisted the Vietnamese power sector in 12 projects on power grid development in rural areas, electricity transmission and distribution with total loans of nearly US$3.92 billion, he said.

According to him, Việt Nam needs to supply nearly 8,000MW of electricity on average each year, which requires annual capital of $9-10 billion.

Dũng wished the WB would continue helping Việt Nam seek capital, offer technical consultation and build a policy mechanism so the country could ensure sufficient and sustainable power supply for development.

He said Việt Nam would adjust planning to ensure the safe operation of the power system, determine key projects, fine-tune laws and build special mechanisms in the field.

The guests expressed their respect for Việt Nam’s success in energy over the years, especially in renewable energy.

They suggested Việt Nam deal with difficulties in major power projects as well as power transmission overloading as soon as possible. — VNS