Ben Tre: rapidly developing renewable energy, and promoting circular economy
On March 17, 2023 in Ben Tre city, the Union of Provincial Associations in collaboration with Vietnam Green Innovation Company organized the workshop "Sustainable energy solutions to cope with climate change and promoting circular economy in the Mekong Delta”
Ms. Nguy Thi Giang, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Nguyen Quoc Bao, Chairman of the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Ben Tre province chaired the workshop
Attending the seminar were guests and delegates from multi sectors in the area, such as universities: Tra Vinh University, An Giang University, FPT University Can Tho; Bac Lieu University, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City; provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations: Long An, Tien Giang, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Can Tho, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, An Giang; representatives of leaders of Departments of Science and Technology, Tra Vinh, An Giang, Long An, Hau Giang, Tien Giang Department of Industry and Trade, Kien Giang Province, An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; People's Committee of Tan Hung Dong Commune, Cai Nuoc District, Ca Mau Province; and representatives of Thanh Hoa Center for Research and Consultancy on Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation (CORENACCA Thanh Hoa), affiliated organization of Thanh Hoa Union of Science and Technology Associations. A number of delegates from agencies, departments, organizations in Ben Tre province included Youth Union, Women's Union, Farmers' Union, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Center for Agricultural Extension, Center for Plant Protection, Center for High Technology Application, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Sub-Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Industry and Trade, Center for Industrial Promotion, Center for Investment & Trade Promotion, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Planning and Investment, CSAT Project Management Unit (AMD), Provincial Cooperative Union, some member Associations, Young Intellectuals Club, Radio & Television Station, Dong Khoi Newspaper, People's Committee, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Economy & Infrastructure, Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Farmers' Union, Youth Union, Women's Union of Ben Tre district and city.
Speakers analyzed and clarified the urgent requirements to promote sustainable energy solutions to contribute to climate change response and promote the circular economy in the Mekong Delta region. According to Dr. Tran Huu Hiep from FPT University Can Tho, priority must be given to the rapid development of renewable energy, wind power, solar power, biomass power... because regional development, sustainable energy associated with circular economy development is both a requirement and a solution for sustainable development in the Mekong Delta with three pillars: economic, society, environment. Therefore, from now to 2030, with a vision to 2050, the Mekong Delta must develop towards sustainable development and green growth; focus on protecting, embellishing and developing socio-cultural foundation and natural ecosystem; put people-centered in the strategy; consider water resources as the core; manage water resources throughout the basin to ensure the maintenance of living resources for the environment and people; change livelihood models in sub-regions towards being proactive and adaptive to climate change.
Mr. Nguyen Van Niem, Deputy Director of Ben Tre Department of Industry and Trade briefly presented the plan on sustainable energy development to respond to climate change and promote circular economy in Ben Tre. According to Niem, by the end of 2020, Ben Tre has 26 wind power projects, 07 solar power projects proposed by investors to develop with a total capacity of approximately 6,500 MW. Up to now, there have been 19 wind power projects approved by the Prime Minister with a capacity of 1,007.7 MW. The Provincial People's Committee has granted investment policies to 13 investors to implement these 19 projects. 7/19 plants have been constructed and completed with a capacity of nearly 360 MW, there are 5 national harmonic plants with a capacity of 93.05 MW. For rooftop solar power, there are 1,543 systems with a total capacity of 71,148 MW installed to connect to the grid. In addition, there is a Co-GEN steam-generating biomass power plant with a steam capacity of 01 million tons/year and turbine system with a capacity of 19.4 MW providing an output of 150 million kW/year. In 2022, the province's total commercial electricity output will reach 2,138,478,235 kWh, of which wind and solar power output contributes 14.6%.
In addition, presentations from represetative of Dong Thap Union of Science and Technology Associations on the development of solar power and presentation from Dr. Tran Thien Khanh, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh city on the production process of biochar from agricultural waste by slow pyrolysis technology also reported at the seminar.
In the conclusion of the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Bao, Chairman of the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Ben Tre province suggested that in the near future, localities in developing annual socio-economic development plans should set targets to reduce carbon in production and daily life to contribute to the implementation of the Prime Minister's commitment in Cop 26.
