WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

3.4.9 Viet Nam
Luong Tuan Anh, Center for Hydrology and Water
Resources, Vietnam Institute of Meteorology,
Hydrology and Environment
Key facts
Population 91,519,289 1
Area 331,051 km 2
Climate Tropical-monsoon with two main
seasons: wet and dry
Topography Low, flat river delta in south and
north; central highlands; hilly,
mountainous in far north and
northwest 1
Rain pattern Annual total rainfall is about 1,700-
2,000 mm; 70-80 per cent of total
rainfall is concentrated in the rainy
season.
Electricity sector overview
The majority of the electricity supply in Viet Nam
originates from fossil sources and hydropower (figure
1). In 2008, the electric generation capacity in Viet
Nam was estimated at 12,357 MW, of which 4,583
MW (37.1 per cent) hydropower plants, 4,835 MW
(39.1 per cent) coal, oil, diesel and thermal-gas power
stations, 2,939 MW (23.8 per cent) from imports and
small hydropower. Viet Nam imports electricity from
its neighbour, China, but also exports more electricity
to Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Cambodia.
Viet Nam has a high potential for hydropower
development, with more than 2,360 rivers and
streams flowing longer than 10 km. There are 10
principle rivers suitable for construction of
hydropower stations with total capacity
approximately of 21,000-24,000 MW. 1 Currently,
hydropower accounts for a large portion of electric
production. The development strategy of the
Vietnamese electricity sector in the period of 2006–
2015, looking towards 2025, also gives priority to the
development of hydropower and encourages
investment in other renewable energy forms such as
small hydropower, solar and wind power.
Diesel and other
Oil
Electricity imported
Coal
Hydropower
Natural gas
1.0%
3.6%
5.6%
17.9%
27.4%
44.5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in Viet Nam
Source: Viet Nam Department of Energy
Economics, Demand Forecast and Demand Side
Management 2
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
In recent years, rapid rate of small hydropower
development has been seen in Vietnam. At the end of
year 2006, 141 small hydropower plants with an
installed capacity 167.1 MW had been constructed
and by the end 2009, the number had increased to
156 with a total installed capacity of 621.7 MW (figure
2).
SHP installed capacity
SHP potential
621.7 MW
2205 MW
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in Vietnam
Source: Institute of Energy 3
Note: Data is based on planned capacity by 2020 and
for plants up to 10 MW.
Installed capacity (MW)
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0.1-1 MW
1-5 MW
5-10 MW
10-15 MW
Figure 3 Small hydropower potential in Viet Nam
Note: Total of 4,468 MW from 0.1 to less than 50
MW.
Number of plant
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 .1 -1 MW
1 -5 MW
5-1 0 MW
1 0-1 5 MW
1 5-2 0 MW
Figure 4 Development capacity of small hydropower
in Viet Nam
Note: There are about 1,035 potential sites from 0.1
to less than 50 MW.
It is estimated that by 2020, the total capacity of
hydropower up to 50 MW shall have reached around
3,000-5,000 MW (figures 3 and 4) and supplied
electricity for most households in rural and
mountainous areas of Viet Nam. However, according
to the estimation of the Institute of Energy, over the
long term, the percentage of capacity and power
generation of hydropower will reduce significantly in
15-20 MW
2 0-2 5 MW
20-25 MW
2 5-3 0 MW
25-30 MW
3 0-3 5 MW
30-35 MW
3 5-4 0 MW
35-40 MW
4 0-5 0 MW
40-50 MW
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