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At the launching ceremony (Photo: USAID Vietnam) |
Joining in the launch celebration were USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vice Chairman Vo Van Hoan, Acting Consul General Graham Harlow, General Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Bui Ta Hoang Vu, and representatives from provincial departments.
“The United States is at the forefront of supporting Vietnam’s transition to a clean, secure, and market-driven energy sector,” said USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Grubbs at the event.
“Through our latest energy project, we are proud to partner with Ho Chi Minh City to power its green growth through more renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions. Together, we will attract green investments that bring a cleaner environment and lower energy costs to residents, and further cement Ho Chi Minh City’s role as a driver of Vietnam’s green economy,” Grubbs added.
The U.S. and Vietnam are approaching 10 years of Comprehensive Partnership, and this event demonstrates how the two countries work together to address a growing demand for cleaner, more reliable energy options.
The new, USD 14 million project, called USAID Vietnam Urban Energy Security, works with the Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang city governments to improve urban planning related to clean energy, mobilize investment, and integrate clean energy solutions into the power system. These include rooftop solar, electric vehicles, waste-to-energy, and other energy efficiency solutions.
For Ho Chi Minh City, the project plans to deploy at least 400 megawatts of clean energy, mobilize at least USD 540 million in public and private investments, and take at least 15 innovative solutions to urban energy issues to market.
The project builds on prior years of USAID assistance to Vietnam for its clean energy transition. For instance, over the past five years, USAID support to government regulators, banks, investors, and private sector developers helped spur solar and wind investments in Vietnam totaling more than USD 300 million.
In addition, USAID supported the Government of Vietnam in developing its Power Development Plan No.8, which sets the overarching vision and operating principles for Vietnam’s power sector from 2021 to 2030.
USAID also worked closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance Standards to reduce energy consumption in industrial production.
Song Anh