In the period from July 2024 to June 2025, Vietnam's electricity consumption showcased an almost even distribution between fossil energy sources and low-carbon alternatives. More than half of the electricity, around 53%, was generated from fossil fuels, with coal being the most significant contributor at roughly 47%, followed by gas at about 7%. On the low-carbon side, nearly 47% of the electricity came from clean energy sources. Hydropower played a pivotal role, supplying around 34% of the electricity, while solar energy accounted for a significant portion, roughly 9%, and wind power contributed just under 4%. This balanced mix indicates a promising shift towards sustainable electricity generation, although fossil fuels still dominate slightly.
Is Electricity Growing in Vietnam?
Vietnam’s electricity consumption has demonstrated modest growth, an important development given the rising global demand for energy. The most recent data from 2025 indicates a per capita electricity consumption of 3056 kWh, marking a slight increase from the previous year's record of 3047 kWh. This increase, albeit small, signifies an ongoing expansion of the electricity sector. More significantly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a noteworthy surge, with per capita generation rising from 1336 kWh in 2024 to 1423 kWh in 2025, an increase of 87 kWh. This growth in low-carbon electricity reflects Vietnam's successful efforts in boosting clean energy, signaling a positive trajectory towards a more sustainable energy future.
Suggestions
To further amplify its low-carbon electricity generation, Vietnam can draw inspiration from regions that have effectively utilized particular sources of green energy. Countries like France and Slovakia have extensively adopted nuclear power, generating around 69% and 64% from this source respectively, showcasing that nuclear energy can be a reliable and substantial part of an energy mix. On the wind power front, states like Iowa and South Dakota have achieved more than 60% from wind alone, illustrating the vast potential of this clean energy source. Encouraging the expansion of both solar and nuclear energy, as seen in other regions like Lebanon with solar and France with nuclear, Vietnam can improve its sustainability credentials and contribute significantly to reducing the global reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Vietnam's history of low-carbon electricity generation reflects a dynamic journey characterized by a strong cumulation of hydropower and exciting advancements in solar and wind energy. Beginning in the early 2000s, hydropower saw consistent growth, particularly in years like 2011 and 2017, with significant increases of over 12 TWh. The 2010s marked a period of volatility for hydropower, with both leaps forward and occasional setbacks, such as the decline in 2019. However, the introduction and subsequent rapid growth of solar, notably between 2019 and 2021, added substantial capacity to Vietnam's energy mix, with solar generation increasing by more than 15 TWh. The recent uptick in wind power in 2022, coupled with ongoing investments, signals a commitment to diversifying and strengthening Vietnam's low-carbon electricity portfolio, sowing the seeds for a carbon-neutral electricity grid.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.