In 2024, Vietnam's electricity landscape is marked by a significant reliance on fossil energy, which accounts for more than half of its total electricity consumption, with coal being the dominant source contributing almost half. On the brighter side, Vietnam is making notable strides in low-carbon energy, constituting almost 44% of the electricity mix. Hydropower is the standout among clean sources, contributing nearly a third of the total electricity. Solar power is also gaining ground, supplying about 8% of electricity, while wind energy contributes a smaller yet growing share. These developments highlight Vietnam's ongoing journey towards a greener future, though there's still a strong reliance on fossil fuels that needs to be mitigated to combat climate change effectively.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Vietnam?
Electricity consumption in Vietnam is on the rise, evidenced by the increase in the per capita consumption from 2776 kWh in 2023 to over 3000 kWh in 2024, a remarkable growth indicating heightened demand and increased industrial activity. Encouragingly, clean energy is gaining traction, with low-carbon electricity generation per person escalating slightly from the record set in 2022, moving from 1316 kWh to 1336 kWh. While the growth in low-carbon electricity might appear modest compared to overall consumption growth, it's a positive indication of Vietnam's commitment to expanding clean energy sources and reducing its carbon footprint.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Vietnam can look towards successful examples globally for guidance. Solar power, as underscored by the notable achievements of regions such as Nevada, California, and Lebanon, should be a priority, given its significant potential to scale up. Likewise, Vietnam can draw inspiration from countries like Denmark and several U.S. states like Iowa and South Dakota, which have successfully integrated wind energy into their electricity mix. Moreover, given the significant success of nuclear energy in countries such as France and Slovakia, Vietnam should consider the benefits of nuclear power as a stable and reliable clean energy source. By adopting a comprehensive strategy involving solar, wind, and nuclear energy, Vietnam could substantially enhance its low-carbon electricity generation.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Vietnam has been marked by significant fluctuations, particularly in hydropower. In the first decade of the 21st century, Vietnam saw incremental increases in hydropower generation, with occasional boosts such as the 13.4 TWh increase in 2011 and the substantial 23.3 TWh jump in 2017. However, the late 2010s presented challenges, with hydropower experiencing declines in 2018 and a more severe drop in 2019. Despite these setbacks, the 2020s have witnessed a rebound, especially with the surge in solar power contributing 20.3 TWh across 2019 and 2020, and a significant wind power increase in 2022. Notably, hydro has also seen a resurgence, particularly in 2022 and 2024, reaffirming Vietnam's resilience and capability to harness clean energy to meet its growing electricity demands while minimizing its carbon footprint.
