Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade told the prime minister that delays in
generation and grid projects could produce power shortages from next year and
jeopardize the government's double-digit economic growth target. The ministry
said only about 5% of power projects under the national growth plan are
operational; most remain under development or awaiting approval, hampered by
investor selection, land procedures and grid readiness. It said supply should
meet demand this year but rising consumption and project delays could leave a
roughly 4,200 MW gap and about 2.9 bln kWh shortfall next year; the deficit
could widen to about 13,900 MW and 61.2 bln kWh by 2030.