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The report “Sustainable Scenario for the Vietnamese power sector until 2050”  gives an overview of Vietnamese power sector within the global energy framework and proposes different scenarios that Vietnam can choose for its energy sector development strategy till 2050.

There are many available renewable power sources in Vietnam, including sun, wind, water, geothermal heat, biomass and ocean energy. However, the country has developed the national power sector strategy 2010 - 2020 with a vision to 2030 on a basis of often unsustainable hydropower plants, highly polluting fossil-fuel-based projects, and even costly and risky nuclear power.

“Vietnam has an opportunity to become a leader in clean, renewable electricity,” said Ms. Pham Cam Nhung, WWF-Vietnam’s Sustainable Energy Project Manager. “Solar power can provide at least 35 percent of Vietnam’s electricity needs while wind power can account for at least 13 percent. Renewable energy plays a vital role in the development of a sustainable future for Vietnam where people can live in harmony with the nature”.

The report includes three possibilities: Business As Usual, Sustainable Energy Scenario and Advanced Sustainable Energy Scenario. Business As Usual shows what will happen if Vietnam continues relying on fossil fuels and outdated, inefficient technologies, including a rise in carbon dioxide emissions.

The two sustainable energy scenarios demonstrate it is technically and economically feasible to supply everyone in 2050 with the electricity they need, with between 81 and 100 percent coming from renewable sources; meanwhile a reduction in carbon dioxide emission to over 80 per cent is secured.

Increasing carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal and other fossil fuels is the leading cause of climate change. 

"Vietnam Sustainable Energy Alliance, which is known as a network of agencies promoting sustainable energy development in Vietnam, highly appreciates the findings in the Power Sector Vision report,” said Nguy Thi Khanh, GreenID Director, representative of the Alliance. “The mentioned scenarios match with our recent study on alternative choices for our power system to reduce the dependence on imported coal in the near future. We strongly recommend decision makers seriously take into account the proposed scenarios in the implementation of recent power development plan."

Also according to the report, renewables and energy efficiency could help Vietnam to:

•    Very significantly reduce its dependence on fossil fuel or coal imports,

•    Ensure stable electricity prices for decades to come

•    Increase job creation

•    Increase positive cooperation in the region, and

•    Reduce environmental and social impacts.