Norway’s largest energy group Equinor, in cooperation with state-run Petrovietnam, eyes to conduct an offshore wind power survey in the south-central province of Binh Thuan.
A representative of the Norwegian energy giant made the statement in a Monday meeting between Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken and Binh Thuan Vice Chairman Nguyen Hong Hai. The meeting took place a few days after the government approval of the power development plan for 2030 with a vision to 2050 (PDP VIII).
For her part, the diplomat emphasized Norway’s strengths in sea-based economy, including sectors of tourism and offshore wind energy, saying Norwegian businesses are suitable partners for developing offshore wind power in Binh Thuan.
In reply, Hai welcomed Equinor and Petrovietnam’s plan to invest in Binh Thuan and asked relevant agencies to aid the process. He also urged the ambassador to connect more businesses of the two countries, especially in collaborating to train human resources and manufacture offshore wind power equipment, as Binh Thuan is calling for investment in the energy sector.
In May 2022, Equinor established its representative office in Hanoi, seeking to partner with Petrovietnam to develop wind power projects across the country. The move marked “an important milestone” in the Norway-Vietnam business cooperation portfolio, the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi stated.
Equinor’s senior vice president, Jens Olaf Økland, said Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and power markets. “With its long coastline and favorable wind conditions, the country has among the best wind resources in Asia and a strong desire to develop an offshore wind market. We believe Vietnam has high potential to become an interesting growth market for offshore wind.”
In August 2022, Anita Holgersen, Equinor country representative for Vietnam, and Petrovietnam general director Le Manh Hung had a meeting in Hanoi, with discussions focusing on developing offshore wind farms, producing hydrogen and ammonia, and capturing and storing carbon. Hung proposed Equinor work with Petrovietnam subsidiaries and affiliates like PTSC and Vietsovpetro on such projects in Vietnam and elsewhere.