13-8-2024 (HANOI) In a significant move that underscores Vietnam’s commitment to combating corruption, authorities have announced a sweeping investigation into 32 clean energy projects. This probe, part of a broader anti-graft initiative, will scrutinise operations within the country’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, as revealed by government officials on Tuesday.
The investigation comes at a crucial juncture for Vietnam, which has recently pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal has been bolstered by a substantial financial commitment from a consortium of wealthy nations, who have promised to raise a minimum of £12.2 billion to assist Vietnam in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.
Vietnam’s renewable energy sector has witnessed remarkable growth over the past eight years. According to data from Ember, an independent energy think tank, the contribution of solar and wind power to the nation’s electricity generation has surged tenfold between 2015 and 2023, now accounting for 13% of the total. This impressive figure not only aligns with the global average but also surpasses several of Vietnam’s Southeast Asian counterparts.
However, the country’s energy landscape presents a complex picture. Despite the significant strides in renewable energy, government data indicates a concurrent surge in coal imports this year, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The newly announced probe is set against the backdrop of Vietnam’s intensified anti-corruption campaign. In recent years, the country’s Communist Party-led government has orchestrated a widespread crackdown on corruption, resulting in the arrest of thousands, including high-ranking officials and prominent business leaders.
The anti-corruption drive has gained renewed momentum under the leadership of To Lam, who assumed the role of Communist Party general secretary following the passing of Nguyen Phu Trong in July. Lam has expressed his determination to accelerate and intensify the campaign.
According to a report citing the Ministry of Public Security, state-owned utility company Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has been instructed to furnish “information and documents relating to 10 solar and 22 wind power plants”. The requested documentation encompasses electricity sales and purchase agreements, as well as records of routine and emergency inspections of the plants’ installation capacity.
This inquiry forms part of a more extensive police investigation initiated last year, focusing on alleged abuses of office within the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The probe’s geographical scope is broad, encompassing cities and provinces across central Vietnam, the central highlands, and the Mekong delta region.
Earlier reports indicate that the government’s inspectorate had identified various irregularities in electricity development projects across these areas last year, prompting the launch of an official police investigation.
