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Air pollution

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Carbon capture, storage and utilisation

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Supporting energy planning in Vietnam

9. October 2023

Solution provider

Energy Modelling Lab

Our expertise is analyses of energy systems, energy markets and potential impact of new technologies and policies. We develop scenarios showing the most feasible and low-cost pathways to accomplish a green transition on national, regional, and local levels and for specific sectors. Our services include capacity building.

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Challenge

The Vietnamese economy is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies leading to an ever-increasing demand for energy. The Vietnamese authorities were having serious doubts about being able to implement a green transition and reach the goal of zero-net emissions by 2050. Vietnam is relying heavily on coal and foresees continuous economic growth.

Solution

Energy Modelling Lab cooperated to create scenarios for the development of the energy sector from 2020 to 2050. The scenarios showed that it would be possible for Vietnam to reach the goal of zero net emissions by 2050. The green transition could be implemented without slowing economic growth. The major findings were that wind and solar energy are cheaper long-term solutions than coal and gas and that Vietnam could obtain self-sufficiency in energy. Implementing a green transition would also have the benefit of savings on the healthcare budget.

The scenarios were fostered by using advanced mathematical modelling. We updated the energy system model TIMES with data on Vietnam and developed the model TIMES-Vietnam. The TIMES-Vietnam connects data from all relevant sectors from energy and heating to transport, industry, and health, creating a full picture including interconnections and synergies.

The TIMES model is internationally recognized and developed by an IEA working group.

Energy Modelling Lab cooperated with Ea Energy Analyses, E4SMA, the Institute of Energy, Aarhus University, and the Vietnamese authorities. The project was part of the Framework contracts with Global Cooperation at the Danish Energy Agency.

Result

At the COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, the Vietnamese prime minister pledged that Vietnam would reach the target of zero-net emissions by 2050. The Vietnam Energy Outlook Report 2021 was published shortly after. The knowledge and insights that were developed and reflected in the Report had contributed to a scientifically based and well-informed decision-making process in Vietnam concerning long-term planning of the energy system. The Report examined possible pathways for the development of the energy sector. The Report also featured a trajectory to reach the target of zero-net emissions by 2050 for the first time.