Forum enhances Vietnam – Australia energy cooperation

Whole of the 2017 Vietnam - Australia Energy Forum

The forum was an opportunity for Australia to better understand the current situation concerning Vietnam’s energy sector as well as helping Vietnamese enterprises and organisations to enhance cooperation with Australian partners.

The forum featured the participation of 16 agencies, organisations and enterprises from Australia, in numerous fields including coal supplying, consulting services and training of energy technique, coal processing technology and infrastructure and service in ports. The delegates shared their experiences and the latest technologies used in the energy industry.

Janelle Casey, Acting Senior Trade Commissioner for Vietnam of the Australian Trade Commission, said that Australia's strengths lie in the production of low-carbon coal and LNG gas and the use of advanced technology for new energy would contribute to the energy development and economic growth of Vietnam.

Through the forum, the two sides would seek more opportunities to boost cooperation and connectivity in the fields of energy, trade and investment, she added.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa emphasised that the forum offered a good opportunity for Vietnam to know more about the ability of providing energy as well as cooperative activities of Australian partners.

According to a report from the MoIT, over the past 15 years, commercial electricity production saw a high growth and is expected to rapidly increase in the near future. The country’s demand for electricity has also seen an increase of 11 percent over the past five years and is estimated to grow around at least 10 percent in the following years.

In order to ensure its energy security, Vietnam has shifted from an energy exporter to an energy importer. The country is expected to import 17 tonnes of coal, accounting for 31 percent of coal demand for generating electricity, by 2020. In addition, Vietnam will also consider the increase of electricity imports from neighbouring countries including Laos.

Theo VEN/NDO