Author Archive: Thu Vu
Energy Finance Analyst Thu Vu is a public policy analyst and risk consultant covering developments in Vietnam’s power sector, with a focus on the transition towards renewable energy. She previously worked for the Financial Times (UK) and business advisory firms based in Asia.
IEEFA: Defying global financial trends, Vietnam pivots back to coal power
Latest draft power development plan puts clean energy transition at risk by sacrificing renewables for more coal
29 September (IEEFA Vietnam): In the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26, President Xi Jinping recently declared that China will no longer build new coal-fired power projects abroad. Despite limited details, the ramifications of China’s coal exit strategy for coal-centric developing economies like Vietnam could be immense. Before President Xi’s announcement, […]
IEEFA: EVN delivers strong 2020 financial performance by optimizing Vietnam’s dynamic generation mix
Further spending needed on grid infrastructure
29 July 2021 (IEEFA Vietnam): Vietnam’s state utility Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) came through 2020 in surprisingly good financial health compared to many Southeast Asian peers, according to a new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), which analyzed EVN’s recently released 2020 financial statements. “In a year when most regional […]
IEEFA: There will be no smooth sailing for LNG investors in Vietnam
Great enthusiasm will be met by regulatory, financing and market challenges
19 January 2020 (IEEFA Vietnam): Liquified natural gas (LNG) suppliers and gas power developers looking at making Vietnam an essential LNG market should not expect to replicate the success of renewable energy seen recently in the country, finds a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). Author Thu Vu, Energy […]
IEEFA: Nhiệt điện khí LNG không dễ để bùng nổ ở Việt Nam
Rào cản chính sách, nguồn vốn và thị trường sẽ thử thách các nhà đầu tư
Ngày 19 tháng 1 năm 2021 (IEEFA Vietnam): Trong thời gian vừa qua, Việt Nam đã nhanh chóng nổi lên là một trong những thị trường nhập khẩu khí thiên nhiên hóa lỏng (LNG) cho phát điện tiềm năng nhất ở châu Á. Tuy nhiên, không dễ để điện khí LNG tạo ra bước nhảy […]
IEEFA: Vietnam’s extraordinary rooftop solar success deals another blow to the remaining coal pipeline
9.3 gigawatts peak of solar capacity, equal to 6 coal power plants, installed in less than a year
Vietnam’s solar power industry has sprung another surprise. As of 31 December 2020, the closing date for eligibility to the second solar feed-in-tariff program, a total of 9.3 gigawatts peak (GWp) (or 7.4GW) of rooftop solar capacity had been connected to the national power system, the state utility Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has confirmed. There […]
IEEFA report: Foreign investors face tough times closing Vietnam’s remaining coal power deals
Project bankability at risk as new regulations threaten usual contractual terms
3 November 2020 (IEEFA Vietnam): Foreign investors will face higher-than-usual risks in concluding coal power projects in Vietnam, finds a new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). Author Thu Vu, Energy Analyst with IEEFA, says new regulatory and market challenges will likely prove too onerous for foreign investors in four […]
IEEFA report: Vietnam’s new power development plan must optimize renewables and avoid fossil fuel lock-in
EVN’s financial constraints leaves the utility with little room for error
22 September 2020 (IEEFA Vietnam): Implementing Vietnam’s soon-to-be-launched next Power Development Plan will ultimately depend on the country’s ability to mobilize more innovative sources of offshore financing, finds a new report by think tank the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). Vietnam is poised to launch Power Development Master Plan 8 (PDP 8) […]
IEEFA Update: Finding the right fit for LNG in Vietnam’s energy landscape
Investors and regulators in search of common ground
The stars appeared to have aligned spectacularly for a rush to create demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Vietnam’s growing energy market. The government’s determined pivot away from polluting coal, a pressing need to find cleaner baseload-like alternatives, and the perception that gas-fired power systems are the perfect complement to the expanding yet intermittent […]