Asia Energy

There is growing optimism that Vietnam is poised to move forward with developing its renewable energy resources. The publication in November 2015 of a Renewable Energy Development Strategy and the priority given to alternative energy in the revised Power Development Plan 7 (PDP 7) suggest rising government appreciation of the role renewables...

Exploitation of shallow-water resources over the last 30 years has allowed Vietnam to become an oil exporter while meeting domestic gas demand. With the third-largest proven oil reserves in East Asia, at 4.4bn barrels, and the fourth-largest offshore gas reserves in the region, estimated at 600bn cu metres in 2015, it has the potential to meet...

Substantial hydrocarbons and hydropower resources have allowed Vietnam to be largely energy self-sufficient and supported rapid economic growth. Exploitation of its coal and the harnessing of rivers for hydropower has helped Vietnam meet double-digit growth in demand for power, providing almost universal electricity access to its people.

Widely regarded as a poster child for power sector development in emerging markets, Vietnam has increased access to electricity from 54% to 98% of the country’s population since 1990, connecting some 55m people in the process. Until now, it has also been successful in meeting double-digit annual growth in demand, resulting from a booming...