Vietnam rolls out more stringent rules for wind power projects

Additional feasibility requirements will be implemented.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has unveiled updated guidelines for the development of wind power projects in the country. Under Circular No. 02, the MOIT addressed several areas which previous regulations have failed to cover, such as documentary requirements, feasibility studies, safety regulations, and others.

The Circular provides a comprehensive list of documents required for the approval of a newly proposed wind farm, such as an assessment report of wind potential, preliminary project design, written consent and opinions from the provincial People’s Committee, and written opinions from the EVN.

It also requires wind power projects to have a report on wind measurement data at the proposed site before a feasibility study (FS) report is formulated and approved. Unlike previous regulatons, Circular No. 02 provides greater flexibility by stating that the method, equipment and results of wind measurement tests must conform to international standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or an equivalent international standard.

The Circular also provides for the process of testing and commissioning wind farms, as well as requirements for turbines and equipment. The new rules also provide a reduced maximum land use area for wind farms. For instance, a wind farm may not exceed more than 0.35 ha per MW for permanent projects, compared to 0.5 ha per MW previously. For temporary projects, the rate of land area may not exceed 0.3 ha per MW, instead of 0.7 ha per MW under previous rules.