Vietnam and Singapore Expand Renewable Energy Cooperation

Singapore and Vietnam have increased cooperation in renewable energy. A joint report on Offshore Wind Power Trade Cooperation was endorsed last week by Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr. Tan See Leng and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long.

The report covers regulatory approvals and licenses for renewable energy development and cross-border electricity trading. It also includes cooperation in infrastructure, research, technology, and capacity-building.

Singapore and Vietnam are also working with ASEAN member states to develop a framework for subsea power cables under the ASEAN Power Grid, which is planned for completion by 2045.

In October 2023, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority granted conditional approval to Sembcorp Utilities to import 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity from Vietnam. The electricity will come from offshore wind and other renewable sources developed with Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation. This could be the first offshore wind power trading project in ASEAN.

Vietnam has multiple renewable energy projects. The Bac Lieu Offshore Wind Farm has a capacity of 99.2 megawatts (MW) and supplies electricity to the national grid. The Phu Lac Wind Farm has an installed capacity of 24 MW. The country has also developed floating solar projects, such as the Da Mi Floating Solar Plant with a capacity of 47.5 MW.

Beyond large-scale projects, there are smaller renewable energy initiatives in Vietnam. Several industrial parks in Binh Duong and Dong Nai have installed rooftop solar panels to power manufacturing facilities. The city of Da Nang has introduced solar-powered streetlights in selected districts.

Singapore is also developing smaller clean energy initiatives. The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has installed solar panels on public housing blocks, with a total installed capacity of 220 MW as of 2024. Singapore’s Changi Airport has integrated solar panels at airport terminals to reduce electricity consumption.