On December 12 and 13, a high-level EU-MOIT delegation led by EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier and MOIT Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long visited Can Tho City and Tra Vinh to discuss renewable energy development and rural electrification. The Spanish Ambassador Carmen Cano de Lasala along with representatives of Team Europe, the MOIT and EVN joined the trip.

Can Tho City has achieved an impressive 99.97% power grid coverage, supplying electricity to more than 300,000 households. The city has undertaken numerous power infrastructure projects with significant support from the EU to extend access to rural areas. A standout effort is the “Rural Electrification from the National Grid, Phase 2018-2020” project. With an EU-funded budget of 58 billion VND, the initiative has successfully electrified nearly 1,500 households across the districts of Phong Dien, Thoi Lai, Co Do, and Vinh Thanh.

Despite these advancements, Can Tho’s renewable energy landscape remains underdeveloped. The city currently boasts a total installed rooftop solar capacity of 81 MW but has yet to launch any grid-connected solar power projects.

Tra Vinh has made remarkable strides in rural electrification, benefiting more than 40,000 households through multiple projects implemented from 2014 to 2024. Most recently, on November 19, 2024, the MOIT requested funding of 3 billion VND from the Prime Minister to support the province’s rural electrification under Sub-Component 1 of the Sustainable Energy Transition Program (SETP). This project aims to supply electricity to more than 300 households.

The province has also emerged as a leader in renewable energy. Tra Vinh’s total installed capacity stands at 505.10 MW, supported by five wind farms, one solar power plant, and 1,149 rooftop solar systems. Additionally, ongoing projects contribute a further 369 MW of capacity, including four wind power projects (344 MW) and a 25 MW biomass-to-power plant.

During the delegation’s visit, leaders from Can Tho and Tra Vinh proposed several measures to sustain their green energy progress, including continued financial support for rural electrification projects, increased capacity for solar power initiatives, clear guidelines for implementing the DPPA, particularly self-consumption projects, and a robust legal framework to promote offshore wind power development in coastal provinces like Tra Vinh.

EU Ambassador Julien Guerrier reiterated the EU’s strong partnership with Viet Nam in achieving its energy transition and net-zero emissions goals by 2050. He emphasized the role of the SETP Program, a 142 million EUR initiative that showcases the EU’s long-term commitment to Viet Nam’s green development.

Ambassador Guerrier noted that the Mekong Delta, particularly Can Tho and Tra Vinh, plays a pivotal role in EU-Viet Nam cooperation. He highlighted the EU’s investment interests in areas such as water resource management, green energy, circular economy initiatives, and the broader green transition. Through Global Gateway Strategy, the EU plans to enhance its contributions to these sectors in the region.

MOIT Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long acknowledged the significant progress made by Can Tho and Tra Vinh in electrification and renewable energy. He encouraged localities to align their efforts with the forthcoming review of Viet Nam’s Power Development Plan VIII, which is expected to open new opportunities for wind and solar power development. Provinces were urged to proactively assess their energy potential and report recommendations to the Ministry for further action.

The delegation visited the EU-funded power projects in Can Tho, including the De Heus rooftop solar power project in Tra Noc Industrial Park and the rural power supply area of ​​Dinh Mon commune, Thoi Lai district. The delegation also visited the Tra Vinh V1-1 wind farm – a project that marks the EU’s cooperation in the field of renewable energy development in Viet Nam, with the investment participation of partners from the CIO (Climate Investor One – a pioneering blended finance facility, which has the EU as a major funder) and ST International of Korea. The Tra Vinh V1-1 Phase 2 project has been designated a flagship project under the EU Global Gateway Initiative and is prioritized within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The EU-MOIT delegation’s visit underscored the shared commitment to Viet Nam’s sustainable energy future. By advancing rural electrification and renewable energy projects, Can Tho and Tra Vinh are setting benchmarks for other provinces while strengthening the country’s position as a global leader in the green energy transition.