Vietnam Approves Plan to Transition from Coal to Clean Energy

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed Decision No. 266/QD-TTg, approving a comprehensive implementation plan for the Global Coal-to-Clean Energy Transition Statement. The initiative reaffirms Vietnam’s commitment to low-carbon development and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The plan focuses on mobilizing both domestic and international resources for power sector development, integrating co-firing technology with clean fuels to cut emissions from coal-fired plants, phasing out inefficient facilities, and accelerating renewable energy adoption to ensure a stable and affordable electricity supply.

By 2030, Vietnam will pilot carbon capture systems at selected aging coal power plants and evaluate the decommissioning of approximately 540 MW of coal-fired capacity at the Pha Lai and Ninh Binh plants if efficiency and emission reduction targets are not met. Additionally, research on biomass and ammonia co-firing will be conducted to lower CO2 emissions, with renewable energy projected to account for 29.2% to 37.7% of the country’s energy mix. The Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is expected to be completed within five years.

Looking ahead to 2045, Vietnam aims to develop at least 1,160 MW of clean energy to replace coal power and transition over 25,000 MW of coal capacity to biomass and ammonia. By 2050, all coal-fired plants will either transition to clean fuels or integrate carbon capture technology, ultimately phasing out coal in power generation.

To ensure the success of this transition, the government will implement a comprehensive strategy encompassing policy reforms, technological advancements, financial mechanisms, international cooperation, and a just energy transition framework, while safeguarding social welfare.