The Ministry of Industry and Trade has just sent a report to Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on the plan to implement the Government's Resolution on removing obstacles and difficulties for renewable energy projects.

The report of the Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that, based on the resolution of the regular Government meeting in 2024, the Government agreed in principle to remove difficulties and obstacles for renewable energy projects subject to inspection.

Regarding the planning supplement, in Conclusion No. 1027 dated April 28, 2023 (KL-1027), the Government Inspectorate pointed out that the Ministry of Industry and Trade approved the supplement and advised the Prime Minister to approve 154 solar power projects with a total capacity of 13,837 MW without basis or legal basis for planning.

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Renewable power projects that receive incorrect preferential prices will have their money taken back. Photo: Thach Thao

Regarding projects that are enjoying FIT prices (preferential prices) and have violated the conclusion of competent authorities due to not fully meeting the conditions to enjoy FIT prices, the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirms that these projects will not enjoy FIT prices but must re-determine the electricity purchase and sale prices according to regulations.

At the same time, recover the preferential FIT prices that have been incorrectly enjoyed through offset payments for electricity purchases.

The optimal solution is based on analysis, evaluation, comparison of socio-economic benefits and minimizing disputes, complaints, and impacts on the investment environment; ensuring security and order, national energy security and harmonizing state and investor interests.

To handle this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed a plan for Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to preside over and coordinate with project investors to determine conditions for enjoying incentive prices.

For projects that do not enjoy incentive prices, EVN reports to the competent authority to issue regulations on electricity purchase and sale prices so that relevant parties can use them as a basis for offsetting payments for electricity purchases.

Regarding rooftop solar power, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed that EVN direct the review and make a list of construction projects on agricultural and forestry land with large capacity under the model of investing in aquaculture farms, then report to the People's Committee of the province where the project is located.

If the competent authority determines that there is a violation of land for farm construction, the preferential FIT price will not be enjoyed, but the electricity purchase and sale price must be re-determined according to regulations. Accordingly, the electricity unit authorized to buy and sell electricity will coordinate with the investor to agree on the electricity purchase and sale price.

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