With a 700 km coastline, the potential for offshore wind energy exploitation across the Mekong Delta could reach between 1,200 MW and 1,500 MW. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Many localities in the Mekong Delta region are focusing on attracting investment and developing renewable energy projects, helping to solve energy security issues and driving socio-economic breakthroughs in the region.

Energy transition is indispensable for achieving sustainable development and adapting to climate change in Việt Nam and the region.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên assessed the energy industry as a spearhead for the development of the region. However, given the Mekong Delta’s susceptibility to climate change, the industry must focus on clean and renewable energy sources.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Đình Thọ, Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, also held that the Mekong Delta has advantages for developing renewable energy, making it a key area for Việt Nam to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as pledged by the Prime Minister at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

With a 700 km coastline, a vast exclusive economic zone of up to 360,000 km2 and strong coastal winds, the potential for offshore wind energy exploitation across the delta can reach between 1,200 MW and 1,500 MW.

The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has reported that the entire region annually receives an average of 2,200 to 2,500 hours of sunshine. More than 90 per cent of the total days in a year see the delta receiving sufficient sunlight to operate solar energy panels, with average radiation ranging from 1,387 to 1,534 kWh/kWp/year.

With these advantages, the total potential solar power capacity in the entire region could hit 136,275 MW, generating an estimated electricity output of over 216 billion kWh per year. Furthermore, the region can also exploit the potential of tidal energy and abundant biomass energy from its agricultural by-products of over 23 million tonnes per year, which have yet to be fully tapped.

To sustainably develop renewable and clean energy in the region, Diên said that the ministry would continue to lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to build the amended electricity law and the renewable energy law for submission to the National Assembly this year. It would also propose the Government issue policies on direct electricity trading.

Moreover, in the Mekong Delta, competent ministries and sectors are also implementing solutions and investing in infrastructure and research of domestic and regional links to serve the import of natural gas and LNG to ensure the supply for power plants in Cà Mau Province. — VNS