- Vietnam is promoting rooftop solar power combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS) to strengthen energy security, reduce pressure on the national grid, and improve electricity self-sufficiency.
- Industry leaders are urging the country to strengthen domestic manufacturing, technological capacity, and local maintenance services to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
Vietnam is seeking to expand rooftop solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS) while strengthening domestic technological capacity to support its energy transition and reduce dependence on foreign equipment. Industry leaders say the country must move beyond installing imported systems to developing local manufacturing, technical expertise, and competitive energy technologies.
The push comes as Vietnam targets average annual GDP growth of 10% between 2026 and 2030, increasing pressure on the energy sector to provide reliable, safe, and cleaner electricity. The government also aims to strengthen national energy security and expand domestic energy supply.
Mai Duy Thien, Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Energy Association, said Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW of the Politburo establishes national energy security as a priority through 2030, with a vision extending to 2045.
“This is not just about creating an additional power source, but also about a solution to proactively secure local energy sources, reduce pressure on the national power grid, improve energy efficiency, and increase electricity self-sufficiency for each household, each agency, and each business,” Thien said.
The government has reinforced this direction through Prime Ministerial Directive No. 10/CT-TTg, dated March 30, 2026, which calls for stronger electricity-saving measures and the development of rooftop solar power. Thien said the combination of rooftop solar and energy storage is becoming an increasingly important component of Vietnam’s energy transition.
However, he identified gaps between policy and implementation and called for coordinated action across four areas: government regulation, local administration, electricity system management, and private-sector investment.
Government agencies need to improve legal frameworks, technical standards, and incentive mechanisms to create a transparent investment environment. Local authorities must also clarify construction, electrical safety, and fire-prevention requirements. Meanwhile, electricity providers and system operators must coordinate grid connections and operations to maintain power system stability.
Businesses must contribute through technological innovation, improved product quality, flexible financing, and stronger customer protection. Thien stressed that cooperation across all four areas would help Vietnam expand rooftop solar and storage systems safely and sustainably.
Vo Quang Lam, former Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), said rooftop solar and battery storage are changing the traditional structure of the electricity system. Under the conventional model, large power plants generate electricity and transmit it to consumers. Increasingly, however, factories, commercial buildings, and industrial parks can generate, store, and manage their own electricity.
This shift creates opportunities for consumers to improve energy efficiency and reduce their reliance on centralized supply, while requiring better coordination between distributed generation, storage, and grid operations.
Domestic Technology and Manufacturing Remain Critical
Industry leaders argue that Vietnam must measure its energy market not only by installed capacity and investment volumes but also by domestic technological capability and the value created within the country.
Vietnam’s population of approximately 100 million people provides a substantial potential market for solar and storage technologies. However, industry stakeholders warn that continued reliance on imported equipment and overseas technical support could limit the development of a sustainable domestic industry.
Nguyen Viet An, representing a Singaporean investment fund, said servicing imported solar power systems can take two to three months or longer when operators must wait for foreign suppliers to send technical personnel.
Greater availability of equipment, spare parts, and qualified technicians within Vietnam could shorten repair times, improve customer support, and strengthen system reliability.
Developing domestic battery storage capabilities also requires more than assembling imported components. Local businesses need expertise in system design, battery management, power control, equipment integration, quality assurance, and operational safety.
International partnerships can help Vietnamese companies access advanced technologies and technical standards. However, industry stakeholders say domestic businesses must acquire the capacity to operate, improve, and eventually develop these technologies independently.
Bui Xuan Binh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GG Power, said Vietnam has an opportunity to develop beyond a consumer market or processing centre for energy products.
“Now is the opportunity for Vietnam to not only be a consumer market or a processing center for energy products, but to gradually become a country that researches, produces, and exports energy technology to the world,” Binh said.
He called for cooperation between Vietnamese companies and international partners to develop a domestic energy technology value chain that combines local capabilities with international expertise.
The industry leaders’ message is clear: Vietnam’s rooftop solar and battery storage expansion must deliver more than additional electricity capacity. Building domestic manufacturing, technical services, and technological expertise will be essential to strengthening energy independence, supporting economic growth, and positioning Vietnamese businesses to compete in international energy markets.