Viet Nam updates plan for the JETP Declaration

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 458/QĐ-TTg approving an updated plan to implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The plan supports the implementation of Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW and the National Power Development Plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

By 2030: Renewable energy to account for 47% of total power capacity

By 2030, Viet Nam aims to expand renewable energy to account for about 47% of total installed power capacity. Over the same period, coal-fired power capacity will be capped at 30.2-31.055 GW.

Notably, the plan caps greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, limiting peak emissions to no more than 170 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. The target supports national energy security and will be implemented flexibly with support from international partners under the JETP framework.

Beyond 2030, Viet Nam will continue refining policies to support the energy transition. The use of energy-efficient technologies and clean energy is expected to become routine among businesses, communities and households, with the State taking the lead and international partners providing support.

During this period, Viet Nam will accelerate the growth of renewable energy and related industries, including equipment manufacturing, energy storage, green hydrogen and green ammonia. The country will also explore carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies while strengthening research, innovation and its capacity to adopt advanced technologies for the energy transition.

The plan rules out new coal-fired power plants and requires plants older than 40 years to shut down if fuel conversion is not possible. It also outlines measures to cut emissions, with a goal of keeping energy-sector emissions below 101 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2050 and raising renewable energy to about 80-85% of total primary energy supply.

In terms of human resources, the plan aims to develop a highly skilled workforce of experts and engineers in renewable and new energy fields, with support from international partners. This pool of high-quality talent will help position Viet Nam as a regional hub for renewable energy, balancing emission reductions, economic growth and environmental protection.

Setting energy efficiency benchmarks for industry and transport

To implement the roadmap, the plan prioritises policy and regulatory reforms to support the energy transition. Efforts will focus on removing legal bottlenecks in planning and financing, while introducing flexible financial mechanisms to attract private investment through public-private partnerships (PPP) in renewable energy and rooftop solar projects.

At the same time, the plan outlines a firm roadmap to reduce reliance on coal power. Authorities will negotiate with investors in delayed coal power projects or those facing financing difficulties, and consider adjustments to investment structures in line with legal regulations.

Negotiations will also address the closure of outdated and inefficient coal-fired power plants that have been operating for more than 40 years if they cannot switch fuels or comply with the national greenhouse gas reduction roadmap.

Coal plants that continue operating will have to reduce emissions, including by gradually switching to cleaner fuels such as green hydrogen and green ammonia, in line with the national power development plan.

To offset the decline in coal capacity, Viet Nam will prioritise renewable energy development and build a supporting industrial ecosystem. The country will also establish two interregional energy service hubs and encourage projects such as waste-to-energy and biomass power that use agricultural and forestry residues.

The plan also emphasises stronger measures to promote energy efficiency across sectors, including industry, agriculture, construction, transport, services, commerce and households. In particular, technical standards and regulations will be introduced to set mandatory energy consumption benchmarks for industries and transport.

In the transport and construction sectors, the plan will implement action programmes to reduce methane and carbon emissions. These efforts will rely on innovation and technology transfer, with the long-term goal of turning Viet Nam into an international hub for renewable energy and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, while testing new energy sources.

Finally, the plan emphasises fairness and broad social support throughout the transition. Policies will prioritise vulnerable groups through reskilling and job transition programmes, alongside public communication to raise awareness.

To ensure sufficient resources, Viet Nam will continue strengthening international cooperation, mobilising finance and expertise from global partners to support a sustainable and inclusive green transition.