Four principles for determining the scope of basic investigation on renewable energy resources in Vietnam

Four principles for determining the scope of basic investigation on renewable energy resources in Vietnam​ (Image from Internet)

On February 20, 2025, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam issued Circular 03/2025/TT-BTNMT guiding the scope of basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources within the territory of Vietnam.

Four principles for determining the scope of basic investigation on renewable energy resources in Vietnam

The principles applied in determining the scope of basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources are stipulated in Article 3 of Circular 03/2025/TT-BTNMT:

- Basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources is an activity to collect, aggregate information, data, survey, measure, analyze, evaluate the resources as stipulated in Article 1 of Circular 03/2025/TT-BTNMT:

“Article 1. Adjustment Scope

1. This Circular specifies in detail the scope of basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources within the territory of Vietnam, including the scope of: investigation content and extent; investigation space; investigation results.

2. Renewable energy resources and new energy resources specified in this Circular include: solar energy resources, wind energy resources, geothermal energy resources; wave energy resources, tidal energy resources; energy resources from municipal solid waste and urban waste, waste from production, business processes; energy resources from biomass; hydropower resources.

3. The scope of basic investigation on hydropower resources; wave energy resources, tidal energy resources and other forms of energy resources from ocean energy are conducted according to the provisions of this Circular and laws on water resources, laws on marine and island resources and environment.”

To provide information and data on the current status, characteristics, and potential assessment of resources for the development of power planning and provincial planning.

- The basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources is conducted across the entire territory of Vietnam. Priority is given to implementation in regions, areas, and localities with potential and advantages for renewable energy, new energy; areas with electricity supply shortages; and areas with existing electricity grid systems to leverage natural advantages, grid infrastructure, transition to low-carbon energy, achieve emission reduction goals, and develop a sustainable power system.

- The basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources aims to efficiently exploit energy sources, ensure electricity supply reliability; ensure national energy security; and exploit natural resources rationally and sustainably.

- Based on the requirements to ensure energy supply security, scientific and technological advancements, economic and social development conditions at different times, competent authorities with the responsibility to conduct basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 21 of the Electricity Law 2024 will carry out the investigation within their management scope.

“Article 21. Basic Investigation on Renewable Energy Resources and New Energy Resources

…

2. The responsibilities for organizing basic investigation on energy resources regarding renewable energy and new energy are stipulated as follows:

a) Authority and responsibility to conduct basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources in Vietnamese marine areas shall follow the provisions of marine law, resource, and marine, island environmental law;

b) Authority and responsibility to conduct basic investigation on hydropower resources shall follow the provisions of water resources law;

c) Except as stated in point d of this clause, Provincial People's Committees shall chair organizations to conduct basic investigation on renewable energy resources and new energy resources on land, on islands within their administrative jurisdiction;

d) The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment assigns enterprises with 100% state-owned capital to undertake, public service providers with the function of conducting basic investigation on marine resources and marine and island environment to lead the implementation in specific marine areas within the Vietnamese sea.”

More details can be found in Circular 03/2025/TT-BTNMT effective from February 20, 2025.

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