Ho Chi Minh City, Northern localities strengthen economic ties

Ho Chi Minh City is proposing to widen access to direct power trading, a mechanism that facilitates the exchange of electricity between generators and consumers. The city, Vietnam's major economic hub, is home to many industrial and specialized zones with high electricity demand. With global supply chains focusing on sustainability and renewable energy, access to cleaner electricity is becoming crucial for Vietnamese businesses.

The draft resolution aims to extend eligibility for the direct electricity trading mechanism to include a broader range of electricity users and electricity generators. Currently, only large electricity consumers and renewable-energy generators can participate in the mechanism. However, the draft proposes to include electricity users in industrial parks, export-processing zones, economic zones, and high-tech parks.

Additionally, it suggests allowing power generators using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to join the mechanism. This move is intended to diversify clean electricity supply and enhance energy security as the city transitions towards lower-emission power sources.