Vietnam keen on co-operating with Iceland in clean energy

Vietnam wishes to collaborate with Iceland in developing clean energy and receive technical support and experience sharing from the country in the field, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai at a seminar in Hanoi on November 5.

The signing ceremony for the co-operation between Vietnamese and Icelandic enterprises and partners (Credit: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
The signing ceremony for the co-operation between Vietnamese and Icelandic enterprises and partners (Credit: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

Stressing great potential for co-operation between businesses of both sides in this realm, Hai stated that Iceland’s help will enable Vietnam to meet requirements for both rapid growth and sustainable development as well as emission reduction.

He noted that Vietnam is currently in the process of national industrialisation and modernisation by increasing industrial production, which leads to power demand doubling the GDP growth.

This is a considerable challenge facing the country, requiring suitable solutions in specific conditions, he said.

Currently, Vietnam is using hydropower and coal-fueled thermal electricity as two main energy sources, while renewable energies remain underdeveloped. The country’s total power generation capacity is expected to reach approximately 75,000 MW by 2020.

According to the Government official, in the future, the country will focus on the harmonious development of energy resources by building a number of power plants using renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels.

For his part, Iceland’s President Olafur Rangnar Grimsson said his country is a successful exemplary example in clean energy development, along with its fruitful co-operation with other countries in the field.

Iceland is keen on developing geothermal sources for daily use and production, he said, adding that clean energy will help improve people’s living conditions as well as serve as a condition for effective and sustainable economic development.