Policymakers shown Mainstream Pathways to build Offshore Wind capacity

Local government leaders from across Vietnam have been given valuable insights on policies that will accelerate the deployment of offshore wind farms during a Capacity Building seminar co-hosted by Mainstream.

More than 50 delegates from 16 coastal provinces and cities attended the day long Hanoi event, which was staged last month in partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Global Wind Energy Association.

The agenda explored many of the opportunities and challenges that are likely to arise for provinces as central government targets the installation of 7GW of offshore wind projects off the coast of Vietnam by 2030 as part of its Power Development Plan No. 8.

Mainstream speakers, who included Deputy General Manager APAC Eduardo Karlin, Chief Operating Officer for APAC Bernard Casey, Head of Development Giang Nguyen and Soc Trang Project Manager Brian Quan Minh, shared development knowledge accumulated in the company over the past decade.

The day-long seminar covered subjects as diverse as engagement with indigenous communities and project finance through workshop sessions, panel discussions and presentations

Presentations showed how experience gained in developing the UK’s Hornsea Zone – now the world’s biggest operational offshore wind farm – and the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project in Scotland is now being applied in Soc Trang and Ben Tre provinces, home to the company’s two flagship offshore wind projects in Vietnam.

One central theme highlighted the importance of streamlined permitting processes that engage all local stakeholders, with case studies on consultations with indigenous groups, collaboration on fishing development plans and surveys of at-risk marine life demonstrating Mainstream’s approach to mitigating the impacts of wind farms to the highest international standards.

There were also insights on how the company is delivering long-term sustainable benefits to local communities and the environment in Vietnam, where funding for mangrove planting, for example, is restoring biodiversity and strengthening coastal flood defences in Soc Trang.

An in-depth discussion on attracting international project finance focused on pathways to improve the bankability of Power Purchase Agreements.

And in examining the potential to build local supply chains, delegates heard that more than a dozen ports that currently support the oil and gas industry could become manufacturing and servicing hubs for offshore wind with minor or moderate upgrades.

Deputy Director-General Nguyen Dong Trung told how his Department’s collaboration with Mainstream will help drive Vietnam’s green economy

Reflecting on the event, Mainstream’s Bernard Casey said: “It was encouraging to see the great engagement from the province officials who recognise the potential of offshore wind, and we look forward to working together to realise the benefits.”

Mr Nguyen Dong Trung, Deputy Director-General of the Department for Local Diplomacy Facilitation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), highlighted how active collaboration between the Ministry, provinces and industry players like Mainstream would help drive the green economy and sustainable development.

He said: “To meet the demand of localities and businesses, the MOFA has introduced new thematic issues, such as the energy transition, to civil services courses, with the Capacity Building seminars co-hosted by MOFA and Mainstream being a key part of these innovative programmes.

“This second seminar has equipped local civil servants with insights into offshore wind power development, and will enhance their policy-making capacity to realise the maximum potential of deployment and to attract external investment in Vietnam’s provinces.”