Green hydrogen has great potential for export to developed countries, and is the key factor in accelerating the energy transition process in Viet Nam. A clean hydrogen ecosystem based on renewable energy has the potential to contribute 40 - 45 billion USD to annual GDP. That was the comment of Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung at The National Green Hydrogen Summit: Energy Transition and Green Hydrogen Development in Viet Nam was held on October 28 at the National Innovation Centre (NIC).
The importance of green hydrogen
Speaking at The National Green Hydrogen Summit: Energy Transition and Green Hydrogen Development in Viet Nam, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung commented: "Green hydrogen has emerged as an outstanding solution in the process of pursuing a “green future”. This is a promising solution for developing countries, including Viet Nam, to enhance the value of renewable energy, applying it to many production and business sectors and in daily social life. Developing green hydrogen is considered urgent in the energy transition process in Viet Nam."
The development of hydrogen energy has been directed by the Politburo in Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW dated February 11, 2020 on the orientation of Viet Nam's National Energy Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, specifically conducting technology research, developing a number of production pilot projects and encouraging the use of hydrogen energy in accordance with the world's general trend.
In 2022, the Prime Minister approved the National Strategy on Climate Change for the period up to 2050, hydrogen production and use is considered a solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector with a gradual orientation. Steps to use hydrogen to replace coal in the metallurgical industry, in the service and trade industries. Use hydrogen to replace coke in "green" steelmaking from 2035.
The development orientation of the hydrogen field has recently been emphasized in the National Energy Master Plan for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 (Decision No. 893/QD-TTg dated July 26, 2023) and National Electricity Development Plan for the period 2021 - 2030, vision to 2050 (Decision No. 500/QD-TTg dated May 15, 2023). Accordingly, the offshore wind power sector will be promoted to develop, combined with other types of generating energy (solar power, onshore wind power) to produce new energy (hydrogen, green ammonia) to serve domestic and export needs.
The demand for hydrogen and hydrogen-based products is also considered and calculated in the overall development scenario of Viet Nam's energy.
Soon adopt mechanisms and policies for hydrogen
Sharing at the forum, experts proposed that Viet Nam needs to soon adopt appropriate policies and mechanisms to build infrastructure and value chains related to hydrogen. This includes creating favorable conditions to attract investment in clean Hydrogen production projects.
Viet Nam needs to take more drastic and breakthrough steps to bring the green economy from a scale of 6.7 billion USD contributing to the total national GDP in 2020 to 300 billion USD in 2050. In particular, the ecosystem Clean hydrogen based on renewable energy has the potential to contribute 40-45 billion USD to annual GDP, creating about 40-50 thousand jobs for the domestic market, leaders of the Ministry of Planning and Investment encouraged.
The representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed to pilot the construction of small and medium-scale green hydrogen energy production and distribution centers and facilities suitable for the ability to ensure safety. At the same time, it is necessary to deploy new technology, apply hydrogen energy production technology and gradually master carbon capture and use technology associated with the process of producing hydrogen from other energies.
Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is urgently developing a Hydrogen Energy Production Strategy for the period up to 2030, with a vision to 2050 to submit to the Prime Minister for approval.
Established Hydrogen Energy Center
Within the framework of the 3rd Viet Nam Clean Energy Forum, the Announcement Ceremony of the initiative to establish the Center for Hydrogen Energy and Environmental Technology (the Center) took place. The center aims to promote research and development (R&D) in environmental and hydrogen technology; developing a focused ecosystem towards the Net Zero goal by 2050. In addition, the Center also fosters high-quality human resources for innovation, enhancing Viet Nam's sustainable energy development.
The Center for Hydrogen Energy and Environmental Technology aims to develop environmental technology and green energy in Viet Nam to support the zero-emissions goal; foster high-quality human resources for innovation and enhance Vietnam's sustainable energy development.
Within the framework of the forum, the signing ceremony of the memorandum of cooperation took place under the witness of leaders of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, representatives of the President of the Asia Foundation, and the German International Cooperation Organization (GIZ), Masan High-Tech Materials, Viet Nam Petroleum Institute... This is an important step in the process of developing the field of Green Hydrogen energy in Viet Nam, laying the foundation for the parties to cooperate and research together and implement energy projects and green business models, and research and develop the fields of clean energy and climate change. From there, promote cooperation and innovation in the energy sector and business models, contributing to realizing sustainable development goals and minimizing the impact of climate change.