Solar power "movement"
In 2012, Tam Ky City Medical Center put into operation a grid-connected solar power system. The project has a total value of more than 720 million VND, of which the Spanish Government supported 50%, the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Physics supported 160 million VND, and the remaining amount was invested by Tam Ky City People's Committee.
This system provides about 600kWh/month, ensuring 100% of the electricity demand for medical examination and treatment activities at the hospital's emergency center.
The opportunity to use renewable energy has been opened and seen in this medical facility, however, according to Mr. Ho Tan Man (officer in charge of operating the solar power system of Tam Ky City Medical Center), after a period of use, due to the lack of modern equipment, this system was damaged and is no longer working.
The solar power system of Tam Ky City Medical Center did not complete its "mission" for many reasons, but this project is really meaningful in encouraging the use of renewable energy.
Considered the first hospital in the country to use grid-connected solar power, at that time Tam Ky City Medical Center became a bright spot for public service facilities to consider investing in rooftop solar power in the context of grid power shortage. And as predicted, just a few years later, the trend of investing in solar power became a "movement" of production and service facilities, and was present on many household rooftops.
According to statistics, in Quang Nam, there are 1,406 rooftop solar power systems with a total installed capacity of 164,355kWp. Problems have arisen from this massive investment movement. That is, the implementation of solar power projects must fully comply with investment and construction procedures, including design, examination, appraisal, project approval, construction permit issuance and construction quality management according to the provisions of law... However, most solar power system installation units have not fully implemented these procedures, and only a few businesses follow the correct procedures.
In addition, renting rooftops to install solar power systems at facilities is often not approved by management agencies or local authorities. Some rooftop rental businesses also do not meet the requirements for business lines or lack charter capital as prescribed. Although the need to promote renewable energy development has been recognized, the policy system related to solar power is not synchronous and lacks specific guidance...
However, these are just "details" in a larger problem, which is that the grid system has not met the load demand and the high electricity purchase price makes buyers feel unmotivated to produce clean electricity.
“Self-production, self-consumption”
According to experts, the Net Zero target set at COP26 is a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is in balance with the Earth's ability to absorb or remove emissions. In this context, the electricity sector has become a great opportunity for Vietnam's Net Zero target thanks to its outstanding renewable energy production potential. And the issue of investing in solar power has attracted much attention.
Mr. Pham Dang An - Deputy General Director of Vu Phong Energy Group (a unit specializing in solar power system services) in a recent workshop, when sharing with the media about investment opportunities in the field of renewable energy in Vietnam and the difficulties and obstacles, recommended "choosing the right price" when investing in solar power.
Specifically, because solar power is a special product of... the sky, it depends on the usage needs, the adaptation of the production facility, the installation location... to maximize efficiency.
According to Mr. An, in general, when investing in a solar power system, first of all, it is necessary to follow the "self-production, self-consumption" formula to be effective. Another economic factor is that due to the development of technology, investment costs have decreased, which is a plus point in the solar power investment formula.
Regarding environmental factors, Mr. An humorously said that solar panels are now 98% renewable and are not used to "grill beef in the sun" as feared.
“Self-production and self-consumption” is also a highlight in Decree No. 135/2024/ND-CP dated October 22, 2024 of the Government on regulations on mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of rooftop solar power.
Specifically, this decree stipulates incentive policies such as: Organizations and individuals installing rooftop solar power are exempted from electricity operation licenses. Organizations and individuals installing rooftop solar power with an installed capacity of 1,000kW or more and selling excess electricity to the national power system, carry out procedures on electricity planning and request an operating license...
However, according to managers and investors, this policy still has many unclear answers from practice. As shared by Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dung - Head of Renewable Energy Department (under PECC3, Vietnam Electricity Group), this policy only "opens the door slightly", but does not really meet all the needs for solar power investment.
At the conference explaining Decree 135 recently organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, besides positive feedback, there were many questions from investors, the electricity industry and local management agencies about the problems.
For example, regarding the process of selling excess electricity to the grid, the local power sector has yet to provide a clear answer. Or the confusion of the representative of Quang Nam Power Company regarding the allocation of the new 48MW solar power capacity target stated in the Power Plan VIII has also not received a satisfactory answer...
Therefore, the journey of developing solar power in the Net Zero roadmap has not been smooth and is still arduous.
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/net-zero-qua-lang-kinh-dien-mat-troi-3148386.html
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