Vietnam Solar Policy Snapshot
The regulatory landscape for solar energy in Vietnam as of early 2025 — current mechanisms, recent changes, and what's next for developers and investors.
Last updated: March 2025
Current status
Feed-in tariff
Expired (FiT 2 ended Dec 2020)
The 7.09 USc/kWh FiT for ground-mounted and 8.38 USc/kWh for rooftop expired. No direct FiT successor has been enacted.
Current mechanism
Transitional — Direct PPA pilot
Decision 80/2024/QD-TTg authorizes a direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) pilot for large consumers (>200 kV). Competitive auctions for utility-scale projects are under development.
Rooftop solar
Net metering suspended, self-consumption allowed
New rooftop installations can self-consume but cannot sell surplus to EVN at a guaranteed price. Circular 01/2024 provides technical requirements for behind-the-meter systems.
Grid access
Constrained in key regions
Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces face significant curtailment (20-30% in peak periods). New capacity additions require transmission upgrade confirmation from EVN.
Recent changes
Jan 2025
DPPA pilot implementation rules published
MOIT Circular 02/2025 details eligible buyer criteria, contract templates, and wheeling charge methodology for the DPPA pilot under Decision 80.
Nov 2024
PDP8 implementation plan updated
Prime Minister approved revised Power Development Plan VIII implementation targets: 20 GW solar by 2030, down from initial 27 GW target due to grid constraints.
Sep 2024
Decision 80 — Direct PPA framework
Establishes the legal basis for direct power purchase agreements between renewable generators and large consumers, bypassing EVN as sole buyer.
Jun 2024
Circular on rooftop solar technical standards
MOIT Circular 01/2024 sets technical standards for behind-the-meter rooftop solar: inverter requirements, protection relay specs, and metering obligations.
Mar 2024
EVN publishes curtailment data
First official disclosure of solar curtailment rates by province. Ninh Thuan reported 28% average curtailment in Q1 2024.
Dec 2023
Competitive auction framework proposed
MOIT draft circular proposes auction-based allocation for new utility-scale solar capacity. Target: pilot auctions in 2025 for 2-3 GW.
Who is affected
Utility-scale developers
No guaranteed offtake mechanism. Must wait for auctions or negotiate bilateral DPPAs with eligible buyers.
Rooftop installers
Self-consumption economics only. Payback depends entirely on avoided tariff (currently ~1,800-2,900 VND/kWh for commercial).
Foreign investors
DPPA pilot opens a new entry path. Projects >30 MW in designated zones can contract directly with industrial buyers.
Industrial consumers
Large consumers (>200 kV connection) can now procure renewable electricity directly, enabling RE100 and ESG commitments.
Key dates
DPPA pilot
Q1 2025
First contracts expected
Auction pilot
H2 2025 (target)
2-3 GW initial capacity
PDP8 review
2026
Mid-term capacity target revision
Sources
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