The meeting between the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyễn Hồng Diên, and the Norwegian Ambassador to Việt Nam, Grete Løchen, on Thursday afternoon in Hà Nội. — Photo courtesy of the Norwegian Embassy

HÀ NỘI — On the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese and Norwegian diplomatic relations, a 70-page Norwegian report on offshore wind production in Việt Nam was presented to officials on Thursday afternoon.

It provides an overview of the entire supply chain for Việt Nam’s offshore wind industry. 

Norwegian Ambassador to Việt Nam, Grete Løchen, and Commercial Counsellor, Arne-Kjetil Lian, handed over the 'Việt Nam Supply Chain Study Report' to Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyễn Hồng Diên in Hà Nội.

The report, compiled by Equinor, a Norwegian broad energy company and member of the Norwegian Energy Partners, provides an overview of the entire supply chain for Việt Nam’s offshore wind industry. It includes key players, current status, advantages and remaining gaps in the market, as well as recommendations on what Việt Nam can prioritise to stimulate the growth of strong, local supply chains to create skilled jobs and export to other offshore wind markets.

The report also highlights opportunities that offshore wind brings to Vietnamese suppliers, and where other Norwegian and foreign companies can collaborate with Vietnamese partners. Through further international cooperation to build offshore wind projects, power can be generated at lower costs, making renewable energy affordable for all.

Speaking at the event, Diên thanked the Ambassador for the gift and affirmed that the report was extremely useful.

He said that it would support the ministry in developing a roadmap and policies to fit with the offshore wind power development plan in Việt Nam. 

“I am very happy to hand this report over to Minister Diên today,” Norwegian Ambassador to Việt Nam Grete Løchen said.

She added that this was particularly meaningful in the context of the 50th anniversary of Norway-Việt Nam diplomatic relations this year.

The two countries had enjoyed a good relationship in numerous areas and renewable energy is a new potential one, she said.

With its long-established expertise and advanced technologies, Norwegian companies would be willing to share knowledge and skills with Vietnamese partners to help achieve common goals in climate change and sustainable development, she said.

VN-Denmark co-operation

Also on Thursday, Kim Højlund Christensen, Ambassador of Denmark to Việt Nam, and Đặng Hoàng An, Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, signed a new agreement to kick off the Energy Partnership Programme between Denmark and Việt Nam for the 2021-25 period.

This is the third phase of a long-term government-to-government co-operation in the energy sector established between the two countries that began in 2013.

The programme will be co-implemented by the Danish Energy Agency and the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade with a grant of DKK60.3 million (approximately US$10 million) for technical assistance provided by Denmark.

Under the programme, Danish and Vietnamese partners will continue collaborating on energy sector planning, integration of renewable in the power system, and improved energy efficiency in the industrial sector. Offshore wind development will continue to be a focus area in the programme. 

The Danish Energy Agency will assist Việt Nam’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority in realising its huge potential for offshore wind by putting in place conducive regulatory and policy measures for offshore energy deployment.

At the signing ceremony, Danish Ambassador Kim Højlund Christensen said the programme would inherit the solid foundation of the government-to-government partnership built in previous phases and continue strengthening and expanding the achievements gained so far.

With more than 50 years of experience transforming the Danish energy sector from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Denmark would be happy to share with Việt Nam solutions, know-how and best practices.

Deputy Minister An said the energy partnership between Việt Nam and Denmark had yielded fruitful results and tangible benefits for both countries.

The programme was a good opportunity for Việt Nam to access Danish experts and experiences with strategic energy development policies that are crucial for a sustainable transition of the energy sector, he said. — VNS