Back Stories » Vietnam » Vietnam Aims to Reduce Coal Usage, Triple Production of Renewable Energy by 2030

The country wants to shift away from coal.

In an interview with Reuters, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that Vietnam is aiming to reduce its coal use by 40 million tons and more than triple the amount of electricity produced from renewable resources by 2030.

The country wants to “increase the electricity output produced from renewable sources from approximately 58 billion kWh (kilowatt hours) in 2015 to 101 billion kWh by 2020, and 186 billion kWh by 2030,” Phuc said.

In order to achieve such a goal, Vietnam plans to push solar energy usage and utilize the abundance of its rare earth resources — which amount to roughly 20 million tons and can be found mostly in Lai Chau.

Specifically, the country aims to increase household solar energy use to 12% by 2020 and to 26% by 2030. Solar energy is also expected to account for 1.6% of the country's total power production by 2020 and 3.3% by 2030.

As for the plan for rare earth development, Vietnam wishes to "cooperate in research and development and transfer of advanced technologies in mining and in-depth processing of rare earth in order to create high value-added and environment-friendly products," Phuc stated.

As Vietnam is running low on oil and gas — two of its major energy sources — finding different renewable and sustainable sources becomes more important. While hydroelectricity is the country's main source of renewable energy, its potential has been fully met.

[Photo via Brink]


Related Articles

Meet Nguy Thi Khanh, Vietnam's First Goldman Environmental Prize Winner

Binh Thuan to Start Building $38m Solar Power Plant This June

Vietnam's Energy Consumption to Double in 10 Years


Related Articles

in Vietnam

$14 Million Approved For Restoration Of Hanoi’s 112-Year-Old Long Biên Bridge

The fate of one of Vietnam’s most beloved and storied structures took another positive turn last week when the government approved a $14 million restoration package for Long Biên Bridge.

in Vietnam

'Amazing Race Vietnam' Apologizes for Challenge Harming Coral Reef

An underwater challenge during this year’s installment of The Amazing Race Vietnam is not sitting well with environmentalists.

in Vietnam

'Engaging With Vietnam' Conference Ruminates on Heritage in Huế

“Living with Heritage, (Re)Creating Heritage: Vietnam and the World” is the title of the 14th Engaging with Vietnam conference, a series of activities including academic panel discussions, keynote tal...

in Vietnam

10 Killed, Over 30 Missing in Central and Northern Vietnam as Storm Son-Tinh Brings Flash Floods

Heavy rains from storm Son-Tinh, which eventually weakened to a tropical depression, have caused flash floods and fatalities in central Vietnam.

in Vietnam

104-Year-Old Great-Great Grandmother Fights Off Robber

Taking advantage of the elderly will inevitably result in some bad karma, a lesson a Dong Nai man quickly learned after attempting to rob Vo Thi Bai, a 104-year-old woman.

in Vietnam

116-Year-Old Recognized As Vietnam's Oldest Man

The Vietnam Record Organization (VRO) has recognized 116-tear-old Y'N Dong of Đắk Nông Province as the country’s oldest man, reports Vietnam Net.

Partner Content