In Official Dispatch 118, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the necessity of resolving issues surrounding renewable energy projects to address years of backlog. He noted the slow progress and lack of responsibility from certain ministries and local authorities.

The prime minister demanded that ministries, local authorities, and Vietnam Electricity (EVN) decisively resolve all outstanding issues related to existing wind and solar power projects. The relevant agencies are required to complete this process and report their results by 25/7.

Specifically, the provinces of Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, and Dak Nong must address project conflicts with existing titan and bauxite mining plans. Dak Lak is tasked with resolving the Long Thanh 1 project's overlap with the Ia Mor reservoir irrigation area.

Similarly, the provinces of Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, TP HCM, and Dak Lak (after the merger) must address land-related procedures (increasing usage area, lease procedures, and purpose conversion) for 40 projects in their respective areas, as per the conclusions of the Government Inspectorate.

EVN is responsible for agreeing on electricity purchase prices with large-scale rooftop solar power projects on agricultural and forestry land operating under the farm model. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is tasked with reviewing and proposing solutions for the feed-in tariff (FIT) mechanism for remaining wind and solar power projects.

According to the Government Inspectorate's conclusions from late 2023, numerous solar and wind power projects commenced commercial operations (COD) before receiving official acceptance of test results from relevant authorities. A report by the Ministry of Industry and Trade indicates that 173 solar and wind power plants or plant sections connected to the grid fall under this category.

The government agreed to resolve difficulties for these renewable energy projects, according to the resolution of the November 2024 regular meeting.

However, EVN and investors have yet to agree on a solution. Since the beginning of the year, a group of domestic and international investors representing over 44 renewable energy projects, along with energy associations, have twice petitioned the government, highlighting issues in determining COD and electricity pricing.

Phuong Dung