Vietnam and Germany Establish Energy Partnership to Accelerate Green Transition
Berlin, The Gulf Observer: In a significant step towards deepening bilateral cooperation in sustainable development, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hoàng Long and Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Stefan Rouenhoff signed a Joint Declaration establishing the Vietnam–Germany Energy Partnership in Berlin on July 3 (local time). The signing ceremony was witnessed by Vice President of Vietnam Võ Thị Ánh Xuân.
The newly launched partnership establishes a comprehensive framework to support Vietnam’s energy transition, aiming for carbon neutrality, enhanced energy security, and expanded economic and business cooperation.
Key Priorities and Mechanisms
The Joint Declaration outlines core areas of cooperation, including:
- Strengthening energy policy frameworks,
- Scaling up renewable energy such as offshore wind, solar, and green hydrogen,
- Modernising power grids and digitalising the energy sector,
- Improving energy efficiency, and
- Supporting the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries.
The partnership will be implemented through annual high-level steering committee meetings, technical working groups, and increased collaboration in training, research, and business networking, thereby contributing to the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Strengthening Economic and Trade Relations
In a working session following the signing, Deputy Minister Long and State Secretary Rouenhoff acknowledged the growing momentum in bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, industry, and clean energy.
Germany, Việt Nam’s second-largest European trade partner, plays a strategic role in facilitating Vietnamese goods’ access to the EU market, aligning with Germany’s effort to diversify supply chains.
Deputy Minister Long reaffirmed Việt Nam’s long-term commitment to green transition under the National Power Development Plan VIII, which targets 47-53% of energy capacity from renewables by 2030. This includes:
- 46-73 GW of solar power,
- 32-55 GW of wind power (including 6 GW offshore by 2030 and an additional 17 GW by 2035).
Việt Nam, he added, seeks deeper collaboration with Germany in the fields of green hydrogen, workforce development, and the creation of a resilient energy ecosystem, particularly involving small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Germany’s Support for Trade and Training
Rouenhoff highlighted the positive impact of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and reaffirmed Germany’s support for the swift ratification and implementation of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He also underscored the importance of workforce development in the energy sector and confirmed that the third meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation will be held in Vietnam later this year.
German Support for Renewable Energy Hubs in Vietnam
Later the same day, Deputy Minister Long participated in a seminar on Germany’s support for developing renewable energy hubs in Việt Nam, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the German Agency for Development Cooperation (GIZ).
The seminar attracted key German energy companies operating in Việt Nam, including Enertrag, Enercon, RENAC, Neuman & Esser, GEO, and WPD. Discussions focused on current projects, future cooperation, and overcoming regulatory and technical challenges.
Franz-Josef Claes, Chairman and CEO of GEO, announced the company’s plan to establish a renewable energy training centre in Việt Nam to develop skilled engineers and technicians, paired with technology transfer initiatives to strengthen local capacity and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
Đào Quang Vinh, senior advisor at GEO, added that the training facility aspires to become a regional hub for wind energy training, serving not only Việt Nam but also countries across Southeast Asia.
The new partnership reflects the shared vision of Việt Nam and Germany to promote green growth, technological innovation, and sustainable economic development through closer and more strategic energy cooperation.
