Viet Nam recorded the largest surge in solar and wind energy capacity in Southeast Asia, reaching 19,501 megawatts (MW). This achievement makes it a pioneer of clean energy transition in the region, as well as a challenge for neighboring countries such as Indonesia.
Solar energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources globally, including in Southeast Asia. Viet Nam has emerged as the country that has most successfully capitalized on this potential, thanks to its geographical position in the tropics with high levels of solar irradiation throughout the year.
Over the past five years, Viet Nam has recorded significant growth in solar power development, making it the country with the largest solar power capacity in Southeast Asia. This success is being highlighted amid the growing global urgency to shift to clean, low-carbon energy.
Viet Nam's Renewable Energy Leap
Based on the Global Energy Monitor 2024 report titled "A Race to the Top: Southeast Asia 2024", the following is a list of the combined solar and wind power generation capacity in ASEAN countries:
- Viet Nam - 19,501 MW
- Thailand - 3,133 MV
- Philippines - 3,018 MV
- Malaysia - 1,577 MW
- Cambodia - 429 MW
- Myanmar - 190 MW
- Singapore - 186 MW
- Indonesia - 178 MW
- Brunei, Laos, and Timor Leste - 0 MW
By 2023, Viet Nam will account for nearly two-thirds of the ASEAN region's solar and wind generation capacity. Meanwhile, second-ranked Thailand will only be able to produce about a quarter of Viet Nam's total capacity. Viet Nam's transformation from a developing country to a renewable energy pioneer sets an important example for other ASEAN countries.
Proactive Policies and Investor-Friendly Incentives
This rapid growth is due to a combination of factors: proactive government policies, economic incentives for investors, and favorable geographical conditions. Viet Nam's southern region has high levels of solar radiation, making it an ideal location for both large-scale solar power plants and household rooftop solar panels.
One of the main keys to Viet Nam's success is the implementation of a feed-in tariff (FiT) policy, which is adaptive, i.e. customized to the location and adjusts to the development of the solar market in Viet Nam. The policy is called Decree No. 13/2020/QD-TTg (Decree 13) issued by the Prime Minister of Viet Nam on April 6, 2020.
The government also provides financing schemes that facilitate access to capital for investors, including local and foreign private sector. The national electricity company, Viet Nam Electricity (EVN), also plays an important role in absorbing energy production from developers and distributing it to the public evenly.
Social and Economic Impacts
The energy transition has also had a positive economic impact. Thousands of new jobs are being created in solar panel installation, maintenance engineering, and solar component manufacturing. In many rural areas, solar energy projects are helping to provide reliable and environmentally friendly access to electricity.
For communities, solar energy not only reduces electricity costs, but also improves overall quality of life.
Inspiration for Southeast Asia
Viet Nam's success serves as an inspiring case study for other Southeast Asian countries in accelerating the green energy transition. Countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand need to re-evaluate their energy policies to catch up and attract more investment in the solar sector.
Furthermore, it is important for ASEAN countries to build an inclusive policy narrative to engage all stakeholders. As Viet Nam has done, strategic issues such as energy security and environmental pollution can be used as entry points to drive national policy reforms.
Viet Nam's achievements prove that economic growth can go hand in hand with environmental conservation. With the right strategy, Southeast Asian countries have the opportunity to be part of the solution to the global climate crisis - not just as victims of its impact, but as active actors who bring real change.
Source:
- https://zonaebt.com/vietnam-negara-penghasil-energi-surya-terbesar-di-asia-tenggara/
- https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/07/12/what-other-asean-members-can-learn-from-vietnams-renewable-boom/
- https://lestari.kompas.com/read/2023/05/03/190000986/daftar-negara-dengan-plts-terbanyak-china-juaranya
- https://katadata.co.id/ekonomi-hijau/energi-baru/65af477bea69c/vietnam-pengguna-plts-dan-pltb-terbesar-di-asean-ri-nyaris-terbawah
- https://iesr.or.id/komitmen-pemerintah-kebijakan-yang-konsisten-dan-transparan-dan-instrumen-yang-tepat-mampu-menarik-investasi-energi-terbarukan-di-vietnam-indonesia-kapan/#:~:text=Dalam%20dua%20tahun%2C%20Vietnam%20mampu%20meningkatkan%20kapasitas,menjadi%205%20GW%2C%20hampir%2050%20kali%20lipat.&text=Tran%20Viet%20Nguyen%20mengemukakan%20bahwa%20kebijakan%20pemerintah,Vietnam%2C%20untuk%20mengembangkan%20energi%20terbarukan%2C%20terutama%20PLTS.
- https://sunenergy.id/mengapa-sektor-industri-perlu-implementasi-plts
