On 17th November 2017, the workshop “Smart Grids Vietnam – Japan” co-organized by Japan Institute of Energy Economics, Ministry of Industry and Trade and Institute of Energy Vietnam took place in Hanoi.
The workshop aimed to share information, experience as well as lessons learned in the implementation of smart grid projects. This is an opportunity for agencies, organizations and experts from the two countries to exchange and discuss the possibility of cooperation in the future.
At present, the power industry is having changes in electricity production, distribution and consumption. The global warming, the depletion of fossil energy sources, the explosive growth of developing countries and the ever-increasing of population… have led to the urgent need for new method of supplying and using energy.
On 25th November 2016, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 4602/QD-BCT on approving the Smart Grid Development Master Plan in Vietnam which is composed by the Electricity of Vietnam. The main objectives of the Master Plan are to improve the quality and reliability of power supply; to contribute to the management of power demand and to encourage the use of energy efficiency and energy saving. In addition to existing power plants, Vietnam needs to build new power plants. The capacity and electric power saved by using Smart Grid will be considered as a supplemental source in power balance.
Japan is one of the first countries to invest in smart grid research and development. Japan is also a top market for smart grid products and services globally, ranked 7th in the analysis conducted by the Department of Commerce in its 2017 Top Markets Report on smart grid opportunities.
Japan pledged to continuously support Vietnam to implement the action plan of priority industries in Vietnam’s Industrialization Strategy as outlined in the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Framework up to 2020 with a vision to 2030, which includes the strengthen cooperation in the field of smart grid development in Vietnam.
Several pictures of the workshop
