The role of bioenergy in contributing to Vietnam’s COP26 commitments

Vietnam’s Prime Minister announced that the nation will achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, reduce methane emissions by 30% until 2030, and prevent and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030 at last year’s UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP26. The bioenergy sector, though with a target of 0.45% in 2030 of the country’s power production considers these goals as a window of opportunity to expand the industry.  

To analyse the development of Vietnamese bioenergy and its contribution to the Government’s pledges as well as proposals to promote the sector, the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREA) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and GIZ jointly organised a virtual workshop on 15 March 2022. 

The workshop titled ‘Bioenergy development to serve Viet Nam’s COP26 commitments’ was part of the ‘Climate Protection through Sustainable Bioenergy Markets in Vietnam’ (BEM) project, which is implemented by EREA and GIZ. 

In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Mai – Deputy Chief of EREA Office/MOIT – said that as an agricultural country, Vietnam has a great potential for bioenergy development. Making use of resources to produce bioenergy plays an important role in contributing to the economic development, ensuring social security and protecting the environment.   

She added that in the draft national Power Development Plan (PDP) VIII, the installed capacity of biomass is expected to reach 1,730 MW by 2030, while the current figure is just 350 MW. From now until 2030, all ministries, therefore, need to be involved in the fulfillment of this target, particularly the MOIT and the MARD.  

Mr. Nathan Moore – Director of GIZ BEM project – said, ‘This workshop is one step toward addressing challenges in the bioenergy sector, fostering market conditions for both public and private stakeholders and contributing to Vietnam’s COP26 commitments. It will bring new insights to our collective efforts to recognise bioenergy as a key contributor to Vietnam’s energy and development goals, as we strive together towards a low-carbon future.’ 

The workshop consisted of presentations and a panel discussion covering the intersection of COP26 and bioenergy which were delivered by Vietnamese government ministries, local and international experts.   

More than 120 people participated in the event, including representatives from the MOIT, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, relevant departments at provincial levels, banks and financial institutions, academia, private sector, national and international organisations and experts.  

Photo 1: Mr. Nathan Moore – Director of GIZ BEM project – made an opening remark at the workshop

Photo 2 & 3: The workshop aimed at analysing the development of Vietnamese bioenergy and its contribution to the Government’s COP26 commitments as well as proposals to promote the sector.