Page 484 - Ebook HTKH 2024

Figure 2. Prospects for renewable energy development in Vietnam by 2030
(Unit: MW)

Source: Vietnam’s power planning VIII (Chính phủ, 2024).
5. Obstacles for electricity generation from renewables in Vietnam
Production and transmission costs are still high
The cost of producing and transmitting electricity and providing stable electricity
to the national electricity grid is still high due to limitations in electricity production
technology and the distance of electricity transmission from remote areas to places
where electricity is used. For example: To build a hydroelectric plant, a huge amount of
capital is needed; To produce solar and wind power, giant batteries are required with
extremely high costs to store electricity for times when the weather changes; Geothermal

power also requires high technology to create drills so deep into the ground that there is
enough heat from the earth's core to generate electricity. However, we can count on
future advances in science and technology to reduce the cost of renewable electrical
energy production.
Instability of power source
Some renewable energy sources lack stability because of depending on natural

conditions. Wind power depends heavily on seasonal weather. Therefore the stability of
the wind power supply is very limited. Solar power not only depends on the day and
night time of electricity collection and generation but also depends on the weather (day
- season, rain - sun). Hydropower is greatly influenced by seasonal and territorial water
resources from rivers flowing through many countries such as the Red River and
Mekong River. The construction of dams by upstream countries will greatly affect the
amount of water flowing through downstream countries.
Renewable electric energy is also a source of environmental pollution

The input of renewable energy to produce electricity may be nearly endless, but
the devices to turn the input of renewable energy into electricity are not. The lifespan of
solar panels or wind turbines is actually shorter than the lifespan of a conventional power
plant, even dams typically designed for hydropower only lasting about 50 years (Dawn
Stover, 2011).

The production of equipment to generate renewable electricity requires a lot of
non-renewable resources and can pollute the environment. The construction of

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