On August 20, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao visited a wind power project in Hanzinelle - Gerpinnes in the Belgian province of Namur and had a working session with Belgian experts to discuss challenges and opportunities for energy cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

This is part of an initiative to promote renewable energy cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium, serving as a clear testament to Vietnam's interest in Belgium's expertise and technology in renewable energy.

Vietnam, with its potential in renewable energy, has attracted attention from international partners as the country is striving to transition to green energy. Thanks to the Government's Decree No. 80/2024, a clear legal framework that strongly encouraged both domestic and foreign investors to participate in this sector has been established. Vietnam has become an attractive destination for international investors, including Belgian enterprises.

Belgium is one of Vietnam's most important partners in this field. This cooperation not only brings economic benefits but also contributes to environmental protection, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and climate change mitigation.

Leading Belgian energy corporations, including ELIA, Luminus, AVALON L+E, and BESIX are currently playing a pivotal role in implementing renewable energy projects in Vietnam. ELIA, with its expertise in operating electricity transmission systems, has ensured the stable and efficient transmission of electricity from wind and solar power plants.

Luminus, with its strengths in wind and hydroelectric power, has provided clean and highly efficient energy solutions. AVALON L+E and BESIX are responsible for designing, constructing, and operating energy infrastructure projects, contributing to the establishment of a comprehensive green energy system.

At the working session, a representative from ELIA shared effective cooperation methods among stakeholders, including transmission system operators, construction units, railways, and urban transportation systems, during the implementation of projects related to the renovation, upgrading, and installation of power lines. ELIA also introduced approaches to minimize environmental and community impact while ensuring that project timelines remain unaffected.

Philippe Vermeulen, Chairman of AVALON Group said that many experiences in the energy sector from Vietnam can apply in Belgium. Belgium also brings valuable lessons from the development of renewable energy and network management in this country to foster cooperation between the two countries.

Tran Ngoc Quan, Trade Counselor and Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium introduced Vietnam's energy development strategy up to 2030. He emphasized Vietnam's significant potential in developing renewable energy, including wind power, solar power, and biomass energy.

For his part, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao highlighted Vietnam's vast potential in the renewable energy sector, with over 3,000 kilometers of coastline. The Ambassador expressed hope that, with their rich experience in this field, Belgian enterprises will continue to cooperate closely with Vietnam, contributing to developing a more sustainable, clean, and efficient energy system.

However, to achieve these goals, Vietnam needs to overcome numerous challenges, including the improvement of the power grid system, raising community awareness, and attracting additional investment capital. Accordingly, close cooperation, experience sharing, and technology transfer between the two countries will be key to realizing this potential and helping Vietnam become a leader in renewable energy development in Southeast Asia.