WB, GIF support Vietnam in Solar Pilot Auction Programme

The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF)’s Governing Council has approved 1.5 million USD in funding for the World Bank and Vietnam to carry out the Solar Pilot Auction Program, the WB said on December 18.
  • Vietnam Solar Power Expo 2019 opens
  • Vietnam, Singapore companies to jointly develop rooftop solar power
  • Vietnam to have 2,000MW of rooftop solar power capacity in 2020
  • Phu Yen begins to build solar-powered lighting system
GIF and WB will help Vietnam carry out the Solar Pilot Auction Programme. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

GIF and WB will help Vietnam carry out the Solar Pilot Auction Programme. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF)’s Governing Council has approved 1.5 million USD in funding for the World Bank (WB) and Vietnam to carry out the Solar Pilot Auction Program, the WB said on December 18.

The GIF, working with the World Bank’s Energy Global Practice, will help the government to design and structure the Auction Program to transition from a feed-in tariff regime to a sustainable competitive auction scheme for solar generation.

The program will help to address Vietnam’s increased demand for energy and promote inclusive growth by strengthening the enabling environment for the private sector.

World Bank Country Director for Vietnam Ousmane Dione said that the World Bank is working closely with the Vietnamese Government to bring more private resources to the energy sector where the needs are huge and urgent.

The GIF’s support comes at a critical time to help the country overcome multiple remaining obstacles to further develop solar power, including financing and risk allocation, he added.    

The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Solar Competitive Bidding Program is part of the government’s broader efforts to accelerate investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy to increase the country’s diversification of electricity generation and reduce CO2 emissions. The country aims to bring 12 GW of solar energy onto the grid by 2030.

Head of the GIF Jason Lu said that this would be the first solar energy auction program to be implemented in Vietnam, which would have large scale replicability, stating the GIF is pleased to support the Vietnamese Government in mobilizing private financing through standardized, transparent and programmatic approaches.

While Vietnam’s economic outlook remains robust, with a forecast of 6.5 percent growth in 2020 and 2021, it faces many challenges in meeting its infrastructure needs, particularly in the energy sector that faces growing demand.

The country is actively seeking to attract private investment and use more public-private partnerships in the energy sector, but needs to adapt its current framework to enable competitive selection of independent power producers and minimize the cost of solar power generation. With the support of the World Bank and the GIF, the Vietnamese Government is developing competitive bidding schemes to deploy utility-scale solar power.

VNA

Other News

Major works at Long Thanh International Airport gather pace towards completion

Major works at Long Thanh International Airport gather pace towards completion

The ACV said on July 20 that contractors are deploying additional workers and equipment to speed up construction under Component Project 3, which covers the airport's essential aviation infrastructure. Major facilities, including the first and second runways, taxiways, aircraft aprons, the passenger terminal apron and the aircraft fuel supply system, are approaching completion.

GDP expands 8.18%, with new growth drivers taking shape

GDP expands 8.18%, with new growth drivers taking shape

According to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, GDP expanded by 8.39% in the second quarter, up from 8.14% a year earlier. Growth for the first six months reached 8.18%, exceeding the 7.63% recorded in the same period of 2025. The performance reflected broad-based contributions from both the supply and demand sides of the economy.

Vietnamese economy sustains momentum on strong industrial production

Vietnamese economy sustains momentum on strong industrial production

The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Finance reported that the manufacturing and processing sector remained the principal driver of economic growth, accounting for 33.07% of the economy's total value-added growth during the first six months of the year.

Government urges vigilance as inflation pressures mount in H2

Government urges vigilance as inflation pressures mount in H2

The Government's inflation target remains within reach despite mounting headwinds. Several forecasts suggest inflation can stay below 4.5% this year if international oil prices continue to retreat. Extending domestic fuel tax incentives through year-end, along with stable electricity prices, healthcare fees and exchange rates, would offer additional relief.

Plan issued to develop agricultural logistics system

Plan issued to develop agricultural logistics system

A key target is that by 2030, all concentrated agricultural, forestry and fisheries production areas will have access to essential services, including product traceability, quarantine, testing, quality certification, processing and market development. The move reflects growing international demand for stricter food safety, quality and traceability standards, which have become increasingly important for agricultural exports.

Vietnam seeks stronger export growth in H2

Vietnam seeks stronger export growth in H2

Despite the encouraging performance, Vietnam's exports remain heavily dependent on a limited number of major markets and product groups, while the domestic value added of many export products remains relatively low because of their reliance on imported raw materials and components.

RoK picks Vietnam as K-Food logistics hub for ASEAN expansion

RoK picks Vietnam as K-Food logistics hub for ASEAN expansion

Demand for Korean food in Vietnam has continued to grow rapidly alongside the popularity of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, making the country a strategic market in the RoK's plan to expand agricultural and food exports to ASEAN, the RoK's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said.

Nearly 68,000 smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit cases uncovered in H1

Nearly 68,000 smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit cases uncovered in H1

Authorities detected and handled 67,937 violations in the first half of the year, up 36.66% year-on-year. Budget revenue from enforcement reached nearly 9.65 trillion VND (nearly 367 million USD), an increase of 49.36%, while investigation was launched into 1,676 criminal cases involving 2,789 suspects.

Vietnam joins global push for energy efficiency

Vietnam joins global push for energy efficiency

Participation in the Montreal Declaration also provides a foundation for Vietnam to explore deeper engagement with the IEA's multilateral energy efficiency initiatives, offering opportunities to access data, policy experience, technical tools and public-private partnership models in energy conservation.

Vietnam's Q2 GDP rises 8.39% amid broad-based economic growth

Vietnam's Q2 GDP rises 8.39% amid broad-based economic growth

Releasing the country's socio-economic data for the second quarter and the first half of the year on July 3, NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said Vietnam sustained positive growth across most industries and sectors despite a challenging international economic environment.

Public-private partnerships drive low-emission rice farming

Public-private partnerships drive low-emission rice farming

Experts agreed that integrating nutrient management, biotechnology, mechanisation and digital technologies will enhance productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition towards greener, more sustainable rice production.