Belgium Firm Wants to Help Vietnam Develop Biomass Energy

Belgium-based John Cockerill Group (JCG) is willing to assist Vietnam in developing renewable energy projects, especially biomass ones, said Mr. Eric Franssen, business development director of JCG. Mr. Eric Franssen made the statement at a seminar themed “Belgian Renewable energy development: Experience for Vietnam” in Hanoi on October 24. The event was hosted by the Renewable Energy Authority, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), and the Embassy of Belgium in Vietnam. Mr. Franssen added that biogas can generate the same heat as coal in thermal power plants. He said the group could assist Vietnam in biomass power production, adding that the company is also able to separate hydrogen from water via electrolysis to provide energy for vehicles. JCG is also interested in partnering with Vietnam in developing wind power sector, he added. For his part, Mr. Do Duc Quan, vice head of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, under the MoIT, said that Vietnam would need support from foreign partners for the transition to renewable energy. The MoIT has proposed the government enact preferential policies to encourage the development of renewable energy namely wind, solar, biomass, and waste-to-energy. The policies include a 20-year feed-in tariff and tax incentives. At the event, a representative from DEEP C Green Energy Company said it seeks to invest in energy sector of Vietnam. The firm also concluded that the northern region of Vietnam has enough potential to develop solar and wind energy projects. (BNews, Vietnam Plus)