Plan for Implementing the Global Declaration on Transitioning from Coal Power to Clean Energy

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has signed Decision No. 266/QĐ-TTg issuing the Plan for Implementing the Global Declaration on the Transition from Coal Power to Clean Energy.

Chinhphu.VN – February 18, 2025

The Plan’s overarching objective is to proactively participate in the global trend of low-carbon development; mobilize all domestic and international resources for power sector development; research and apply co-firing technologies using clean fuels to gradually reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants; and establish a roadmap for phasing out coal-fired power plants that have reached the end of their economic life and operate on outdated technologies.

It also aims to enhance and maximize the utilization of renewable energy for electricity generation, ensuring sufficient, stable, and increasingly high-quality power at reasonable costs to support socio-economic development, while contributing to global climate change response efforts. The Plan outlines comprehensive tasks and solutions for climate action and energy transition to achieve Viet Nam’s commitment of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Priority: Fully and efficiently harness renewable energy for electricity production

By 2030, the Plan sets the following key targets:

• Research and pilot the installation of carbon capture systems at coal-fired power plants using outdated, low-efficiency technologies.

• Consider retiring approximately 540 MW of coal-fired capacity (including Phả Lại Power Plant – 440 MW and Ninh Bình Power Plant – 100 MW) if these plants have reached the end of their economic life and cannot improve efficiency or reduce emissions through technical solutions.

• Research and pilot co-firing technologies using biomass and ammonia at coal-fired plants to reduce CO₂ emissions.

• Encourage coal-fired power plants to co-fire and gradually transition to biomass and ammonia.

• Prioritize maximizing renewable energy sources, aiming for renewable electricity (including hydropower) to account for 29.2% – 37.7% of total electricity generation.

• Complete investment in the Ninh Thuận Nuclear Power Plant project within approximately five years to ensure energy security and support environmental protection.

By 2050: Orientation toward completely eliminating coal use for power generation

By 2045:

• Develop at least 1,160 MW of clean power sources to replace aging plants and ensure national power security, enabling the retirement of approximately 1,160 MW of coal-fired power capacity (if conversion is not feasible).

• Continue converting coal-fired power plants that have operated for 20 years to co-firing biomass and ammonia, totaling 18,642 MW.

• Fully convert coal-fired plants to biomass and ammonia with total capacity of 6,990 MW.

By 2050:

• Develop enough clean power sources to replace at least 3,335 MW of capacity, enabling the retirement of 3,335 MW of coal-fired power plants that have reached the end of their economic life (if fuel switching or carbon capture installation is not possible).

• Fully transition coal-fired plants to 100% biomass and ammonia, with total capacity ranging from 25,632 MW to 28,832 MW.

• Install carbon capture systems at coal-fired power plants.

After 2050, the orientation is to completely eliminate the use of coal for electricity generation.

Comprehensive tasks and solutions

To achieve these objectives, the Plan emphasizes tasks and solutions in the following areas:

• Legal and policy frameworks

• Technical and technological solutions

• Human resources

• Finance and capital mobilization

• International cooperation

• Just energy transition and social security safeguards

Minh Hiển

Tags: clean energy, renewable energy
Source: Chinhphu.VN