(Anova) - Vietnam, with its abundance of potential natural resources, is focusing attention on the research renewable energy sources in the context of global exhaustion of natural sources.

Located in the tropical and monsoon zones, Vietnam has access to year-round solar energy sources, particularly in the northwestern, central and southern regions. As a result, a number of solar power projects have been instigated, bringing wide-ranging practical benefits to many people’s lives.

Various models of solar water heaters have hit the market in recent years. The country now has up to 10 manufacturers of these products with famous brandnames such as “Thai Duong Nang” (Solar Energy), made by the Son Ha Company, “Sunflower”, produced by the Tan A Company and “Helio”, the brainchild of the Ho Chi Minh City Technical Teachers’ College.

In addition, over 20 wind power projects are currently underway with the ability to generate an expected electrical output of 20,000 MW.

However, none of these projects have yet to be put into operation and connected with the national grids. The slow process for high wind-power production is attributed to its high costs.

Meanwhile, many other renewable energy exploitation projects are still being implemented in an effort to compensate for the exhausting natural energy sources. Currently, the most popular projects are the construction of biogas plants, which have been used by thousands of farmers to produce biodiesel from sources such as basa catfish fat or jatropha trees.

The Prime Minister has approved a project relating bio-fuel development through 2025, which sets the target of producing the materials and additives necessary for bio-fuel production during the 2011-2015 period.

Vietnam’s strong economic growth over the past decade has caused its annual electricity demand to increase by 15 percent while power supplies are mainly based on thermoelectricity and hydropower sources. As a result, power shortages have become increasingly serious in recent years, especially during the dry seasons.

(Source: VNA)

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