“The program aims to support the Government of Vietnam to achieve its objective of the 2013–2020 program on providing electricity supply to rural, mountainous and island areas,” said Stefano Manservisi, the EC Director General of International Cooporation and Development at the launching ceremony.
Stefano Manservisi, the EC Director General of International Cooporation and Development gave a speech at the ceremony.
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The joint energy facility is deemed important as Vietnam, one of the most exposed countries in the world to climate change, is facing major energy challenges in maintaining socio-economic development.
While the EU response cannot address all these challenges, Manservisi explained, it can together with other development partners influence policies and choices that would make the sector cleaner and more sustainable.
In response, Minister of Industry & Trade Tran Tuan Anh pointed out that the energy sector of Vietnam has been developing rapidly and sustainably, which is a key factor to maintain the country's economic growth.
“The Government of Viet Nam commits to socio-economic development, ensuring provision of power to the whole country, including the remote areas where 2% of the population still do not have access to electricity,” said Anh.
The EU indicative grant allocation of EUR346 million supporting the energy sector in Vietnam for the period 2014 – 2020 is the largest grant contribution provided by the EU so far to a single country in support of sustainable energy.
The grant allocation reaffirms the European Union's leading role in supporting the fight against climate change and in the promotion of renewable energy, according to the EU representative.
At the same time, it reflects the EU commitment to further contribute to a more sustainable energy sector in Vietnam by promoting efficient, clean and renewable energy
The EU-Vietnam Energy Facility, set-up under a co-financing scheme by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development-BMZ within the framework of Phase II of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project, will be operated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in close cooperation with the MoIT.
