The Department of Climate Change, which is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, reported that the emission factor for Vietnam’s electricity grid in 2022 was 0.6766 tCO2 per MWh. This data was shared in official communication No. 327/BĐKH-PTCBT with various organizations and entities involved in greenhouse gas reduction initiatives in Vietnam.
Throughout 2023, the Department worked with other bodies to determine the 2022 emission factor for the country’s power grid, aiming to provide a standard reference for projects and programs focused on carbon trading and offset mechanisms, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating baseline scenarios for updating Nationally Determined Contributions, and devising emission reduction strategies in key sectors.
The Department has noted that since 2014, Vietnam’s power grid had a relatively low emission factor (0.6612 tons/MWh). However, with the construction of numerous large-scale thermal power plants starting in 2015, such as Dung Quat, Mong Duong, Phu My, Song Hau, Vinh Tan, and Vung Ang 1 and 2, the emission factor surged alarmingly between 2015 and 2018. A significant decline in the emission factor was observed from 2019 onwards, attributed to the growth in solar and wind energy production.
The reduction of emissions from the power grid is crucial for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. Vietnam, along with other nations, must continue to enhance renewable energy utilization and energy efficiency to lower power grid emissions and progress towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.
