Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam To Boost Pumped Storage

What does Vietnam's Solar Policy update mean for energy storage?

Vietnam's solar policy update highlights growing role of energy storage. (Photo: iStock) Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has announced a new round of feed-in tariffs (FIT) for solar power, introducing location-based pricing and, for the first time, incorporating energy storage systems.

Does Vietnam have new feed-in tariffs for solar power?

April 2025 | Southeast Asia Impact Alliance Vietnam is taking another step toward modernizing its renewable energy sector by unveiling updated feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for solar power, with a notable emphasis on encouraging battery energy storage systems (BESS).

How much does a solar plant cost in Vietnam?

Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has published the new feed-in tariffs for utility-scale solar plants. For projects without battery storage, the tariff will be VND 1,382.7 ($0.053)/kWh for the northern part of the country, VDN 1,107.1/kWh for the central part, and VDN 1,012.0/kWh for the southern region.

Does Vietnam have a solar power industry?

Vietnam's solar power industry has grown rapidly since 2017, driven by generous feed-in tariffs and strong government support. The country now has one of the highest installed solar capacities in Southeast Asia, contributing significantly to its renewable energy goals. 2. What challenges is Vietnam's solar power sector facing?

Does Vietnam need a 2025 Solar Plan?

Notably, the 2025 plan mandates that concentrated solar must include storage (minimum 10 percent of capacity, 2-hour duration), a requirement absent in the 2023 version. Vietnam's solar panel trade is regulated under Decree 26/2023/ND-CP, which outlines the Schedule of Export Tariffs and Preferential Import Tariffs.

Why should Vietnam invest in solar power?

Vietnam can leverage domestic solar manufacturing to meet domestic demand, implement direct power purchase agreements (DPPAs) enabling private renewable supplies, accelerate grid and battery storage infrastructure, and avoid costly LNG imports by prioritizing renewables.

What is battery energy storage system (BESS)?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by minimising the intermittency of renewables, enhancing grid flexibility, and ensuring reliable power supply. In a significant development, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has secured approval for its first pilot BESS project with a capacity of 50 MW/50MWh.

Can battery energy storage systems stabilize Vietnam's grid?

Sunita Dubey and Hyunjung Lee share how Vietnam is leveraging Battery Energy Storage Systems to stabilize their grid and accelerate the energy transition.

How can battery energy storage systems improve power supply?

The variability of renewable energy sources, combined with the increasing demand often results in unreliable supply and frequent power shortages. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by minimising the intermittency of renewables, enhancing grid flexibility, and ensuring reliable power supply.

What will Vietnam's energy future look like in 2030?

The government anticipates a 10-12% annual surge through 2030 in the nation's power consumption. This rapidly expanding energy demand presents a significant challenge to Vietnam's transforming energy landscape, especially considering the urgent need to reduce global emissions and utilise renewable alternatives.

Can battery energy storage systems stabilize Vietnam's grid?

Sunita Dubey and Hyunjung Lee share how Vietnam is leveraging Battery Energy Storage Systems to stabilize their grid and accelerate the energy transition.

What is battery energy storage system (BESS)?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by minimising the intermittency of renewables, enhancing grid flexibility, and ensuring reliable power supply. In a significant development, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has secured approval for its first pilot BESS project with a capacity of 50 MW/50MWh.

What is the largest electricity storage project in Vietnam?

The largest electricity storage project in Vietnam is the Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Project. Located in Ninh Thuan province, the project has a capacity of 1,200 MW and is expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing the grid when it completes in a few years.

How can battery energy storage systems improve power supply?

The variability of renewable energy sources, combined with the increasing demand often results in unreliable supply and frequent power shortages. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by minimising the intermittency of renewables, enhancing grid flexibility, and ensuring reliable power supply.

Why should Vietnam invest in a lithium battery?

The declining cost of lithium battery cells, coupled with technological advancements, has made BESS increasingly affordable and accessible, according to Contemporary Amperex Technology, the world's largest battery manufacturer. Vietnam should capitalise on this trend to attract investment, create green jobs, and enhance energy security.

How will Marubeni contribute to a stable power supply in Vietnam?

Marubeni aims to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Vingroup while developing new power services in Vietnam. Through these efforts, Marubeni will contribute to a stable power supply for commercial and industrial consumers in the country. Battery Energy Storage System Overview:

Can battery energy storage systems stabilize Vietnam's grid?

Sunita Dubey and Hyunjung Lee share how Vietnam is leveraging Battery Energy Storage Systems to stabilize their grid and accelerate the energy transition.

How can battery energy storage systems improve power supply?

The variability of renewable energy sources, combined with the increasing demand often results in unreliable supply and frequent power shortages. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by minimising the intermittency of renewables, enhancing grid flexibility, and ensuring reliable power supply.

What will Vietnam's energy future look like in 2030?

The government anticipates a 10-12% annual surge through 2030 in the nation's power consumption. This rapidly expanding energy demand presents a significant challenge to Vietnam's transforming energy landscape, especially considering the urgent need to reduce global emissions and utilise renewable alternatives.

Will EVN build a 50mw/50mwh Bess project near Hanoi?

At a meeting on Wednesday, the ADB side, represented by Andrew Jeffries, advisor, Energy Transition Mechanism and Partnerships, proposed building a pilot 50MW/50MWh BESS project near Hanoi. A meeting between EVN and ADB to discuss the BESS project, Hanoi, August 14, 2024. Photo courtesy of EVN.

What is battery energy storage system (BESS)?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by minimising the intermittency of renewables, enhancing grid flexibility, and ensuring reliable power supply. In a significant development, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has secured approval for its first pilot BESS project with a capacity of 50 MW/50MWh.

Can battery energy storage systems stabilize Vietnam's grid?

Sunita Dubey and Hyunjung Lee share how Vietnam is leveraging Battery Energy Storage Systems to stabilize their grid and accelerate the energy transition.

How can battery energy storage systems improve power supply?

The variability of renewable energy sources, combined with the increasing demand often results in unreliable supply and frequent power shortages. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by minimising the intermittency of renewables, enhancing grid flexibility, and ensuring reliable power supply.

Why should Vietnam invest in a lithium battery?

The declining cost of lithium battery cells, coupled with technological advancements, has made BESS increasingly affordable and accessible, according to Contemporary Amperex Technology, the world's largest battery manufacturer. Vietnam should capitalise on this trend to attract investment, create green jobs, and enhance energy security.

Can Bess improve Vietnam's energy infrastructure?

Integrating BESS into Vietnam's energy infrastructure demonstrates promising prospects for facilitating the nation's energy transition. By storing excess energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during peak times, BESS can enhance grid flexibility, reduce emissions, and lower electricity costs.

Will Chinese battery manufacturer sunwoda invest $300 million in Bac Giang?

Chinese battery manufacturer Sunwoda plans to make an additional $300 million investment in the northern province of Bac Giang. As renewable energy becomes a cornerstone of Vietnam's climate and development strategies, the need to meet the country's rapidly growing power demand becomes more urgent.

What's going on with rooftop solar in Thailand?

Rooftop solar is also expanding fast, with the quota for public installations rising from 50 MW to 200 MW, plus an additional 50 MW dedicated to Bangkok. These changes reflect not just ambition, but momentum. Read Also: The Promise of Thailand Renewable Energy Initiatives

Does Thailand have a solar power plan?

“The program is rather unexpected given the lack of such in [Thailand's Power Development Plan] 2018-37,” Moritz Sticher, a senior adviser at Berlin-based consulting firm Apricum, told pv magazine. The regulation introduces a 25-year FIT of THB 2,1679 ($0.057)/kWh for solar and a 25-year FIT of THB 2,8331/kWh for solar plus storage.

How much is fit for solar in Thailand?

In an unexpected move, the government of Thailand has introduced a feed-in-tariff (FIT) of THB 2,1679 ($0.057)/kWh over 25 years for solar and a 25-year FIT of THB 2,8331/kWh for solar plus storage.

Why is Thailand relying on more than just solar?

To close this gap, Thailand is relying on more than just solar. The government's Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) promotes energy diversification, including storage systems and emerging technologies like green hydrogen. These strategies are designed to not only boost generation capacity but also ensure energy stability and resilience.

Why has Thailand quadrupled its solar power quota in 2024?

The government has quadrupled the annual quota for public solar power projects, from 100 MW to 400 MW in 2024, as part of a broader push to cut electricity costs by 8% and reach carbon neutrality by 2065. This marks a bold step in Thailand renewable energy expansion, backed by aggressive policy shifts and growing investment.

How much solar capacity does Thailand have?

Thailand currently has 3.47 GW of installed solar capacity, according to Apricum. The country has updated its 2037 solar targets by reducing the solar capacity target to 8.7 GW and keeping the target for floating solar at 2.73 GW. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused.