Both American and Vietnamese experts and businesses operating in power and finance-related sectors think that the development of wind power in Vietnam has yet live up to its potential, according to a recent workshop in Ho Chi Minh.

This information was presented at the US-Vietnam Wind Power Development Workshop which was jointly held by The US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade on Thursday.

It is an opportunity for Vietnamese government authorities and Vietnam’s wind power developers to engage the US government’s key developmental assistance agencies.

The country currently has only three projects including two already joining the national grids in the central province of Binh Thuan and the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, and another off-grid project in Binh Thuan, according to Pham Thuy Dung - senior specialist for the Department of New and Renewable Energy under Ministry of Industry and Trade.

It is a very small number compared to 48 wind power projects with a total capacity of 4,876 MW have already been licensed, she added.

Mr. Pham Trong Thuc, Head of Department of the New and Renewable Energy under the Ministry of Industry and Trade , said the ministry will study Decide No.37 on mechanisms to support the development of wind power projects in Vietnam to have more reasonable purchase price for wind power to meet up with the interests of investors.

“Wind power currently accounts for only 1.5-2% of electricity outputs in Vietnam with a total capacity of only 54MW,” he said.

“However, according to the national plan, Vietnam will generate 1,000 MW of electricity from wind farms by 2020 and this criterion is a challenge for the Ministry of Industry and Trade," Thuc added.