Vietnam and Germany establish energy cooperation to foster green transition progress
In a significant step towards a greener future, Vietnam and Germany have signed a Joint Declaration to establish the Vietnam-Germany Energy Partnership on July 3, 2023. The partnership aims to deepen cooperation between the two nations in various areas, including green hydrogen, workforce training, and building a robust energy ecosystem involving small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The key priorities of the partnership, as outlined in the Joint Declaration, include refining energy policies, scaling up renewable energy, digitalizing the power sector, improving energy efficiency, modernizing power grids, and supporting decarbonization in industries.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade expressed his desire for deeper cooperation with Germany, particularly in the areas of offshore wind, solar power, and green hydrogen. He emphasized the potential for small- and medium-sized enterprises to play a significant role in this collaboration.
Germany, being a vital entry point for Vietnam's goods into the European Union, serves as an essential partner in this endeavour. The partnership's goals include achieving 6 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 and an additional 17 gigawatts by 2035, along with 46-73 gigawatts of solar power and 32-55 gigawatts of wind power.
To support this transition, Franz-Josef Claes, Chairman and CEO of German energy group GEO, announced plans for a training center in Vietnam. This center will focus on developing technical workers and engineers specializing in renewable energy, with technology transfer initiatives to bolster Vietnam's energy independence and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
The partnership will operate through annual high-level steering committee meetings, technical working groups, and expanded efforts in training, research, and business networking. Both sides have agreed to strengthen energy-related workforce training and to convene the third meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation in Vietnam later this year.
Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, also expressed his support for expediting the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement. He praised the impact of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement on bilateral trade and reaffirmed Germany's commitment to effective implementation.
Vietnam's energy goals, as outlined in its National Power Development Plan VIII, aim for renewable sources to constitute 47-53% of total energy capacity by 2030. The partnership aims to accelerate Vietnam's energy transition towards carbon neutrality.
During a seminar on German support for developing renewable energy hubs in Vietnam, participants discussed ongoing projects, future collaboration, and challenges needing solutions. The event drew representatives from German energy firms operating in Vietnam, including Enertrag, Enercon, RENAC, Neuman & Esser, GEO, and WPD.
With this new partnership, Vietnam and Germany are taking significant strides towards a more sustainable future, fostering deeper energy collaboration and setting an example for other nations to follow.
- The Vietnam-Germany Energy Partnership, established on July 3, 2023, prioritizes refining energy policies and scaling up renewable energy, including offshore wind, solar power, and green hydrogen.
- Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade seeks deeper cooperation with Germany in environmental-science matters, particularly in the areas of renewable-energy technology.
- In an effort to support the partnership's goals, Franz-Josef Claes, Chairman and CEO of German energy group GEO, plans to build a training center in Vietnam focused on renewable-energy labor.
- The partnership's ambitions include achieving 6 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 and an additional 17 gigawatts by 2035, along with significant levels of solar and wind power, as part of Vietnam's drive towards carbon neutrality.
- The partnership will collaborate on annual high-level steering committee meetings, technology transfer initiatives, and expanded efforts in research, training, and business networking in the finance sector.
- Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, supports the expediting of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement to further bolster bilateral trade and cooperation.
- Vietnam's National Power Development Plan VIII aims for renewable sources to comprise 47-53% of total energy capacity by 2030, addressing climate-change concerns whilst relying on sustainable energy sources.