Leading businesses from Norway have showcased innovation and new green technologies that matter a lot to the post-Covid recovery journey that Vietnam is seeking.

Three leading Norwegian companies in the renewable energy and innovation sectors, namely Equinor, Tomra, and Scatec have joined the Norwegian Pavilion in the exhibition held on the sideline of the international conference that was organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Vietnam.

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and Ambassador of Norway to Vietnam Grete Lochen at the exhibition. Photos: Embassy of Norway Hanoi

Commenting on the presence of the Norwegian Pavilion, Ambassador of Norway to Vietnam Grete Lochen said all of them are internationally well known when it comes to offshore technologies, renewable energy, and smart solutions in circular waste management.

“A very positive message was already shared among the Norwegian business community about the potential opportunities in Vietnam in the renewable and innovation sectors. We are very enthusiastic about the future”, the ambassador noted.

Sharing at the Friday conference, Commercial Counsellor of the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi, Arne-Kjetil Lian said many Norwegian companies are committed to coming to Vietnam and contributing to the country’s green transition efforts. Norway is among the world’s leaders in the use of renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainable/innovative resource handling. I believe our companies are ready to bring their world-leading technologies and excellence in those sectors to Vietnam.”

She went on to say “This is really important when governments around the world including Norway and Vietnam have made commitments to promote a “green recovery” and the Government of Vietnam has pledged that Vietnam would achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are here not only for business purposes, but we are also here to assist Vietnam in implementing these commitments.”

At the conference, DPM Pham Binh Minh said the green transition is a challenging process to Vietnam, calling for international experiences, lessons, and assistance in the green and inclusive economic recovery; in the implementation of the agenda for sustainable development, the Paris Agreement and the country’s commitments at COP26.

Norwegian companies, with their world-class technologies and long-term expertise in green industries including renewable and clean energy, and circular plastic waste management, are here to contribute to this process by sharing knowledge and experiences to assist Vietnam in this process and together achieve a greener future.

Norway's leading companies TOMRA, Equinor, and Scatec in an exhibition in Hanoi on Feb 25.

At the conference, TOMRA has committed to supporting and sharing knowledge with Vietnamese partners in identifying the right framework conditions, to meet the recycling and other environmental objectives for Vietnam in its vision “Leading the Resource Revolution” that helps manage the planet’s precious resources, today and tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Equinor said it will provide Vietnam with affordable energy to societies worldwide and taking a leading role in the energy transition. To deliver the energy the world needs without contributing to global warming by 2050, the company will continue to produce hydrocarbons with the world’s lowest emission; develop solutions to reduce carbon footprints for ourselves and others; and accelerate the growth of our renewables business.

With an ambition of having 12-16 GW net capacity of renewables by 2030, Equinor is also well positioned for future offshore wind growth in Asia.

Equinor is opening an office in Hanoi to be part of the development of the offshore wind industry in Vietnam. The company’s ambition is to utilize our experience and competence to successfully develop offshore wind projects, local competence and jobs in Vietnam together with our partner PetroVietnam. 

Scatec, a leading renewable power producer, delivering affordable and clean energy worldwide, operated in Ho Chi Minh City in 2019 with a strategy to expand the business in the renewable energy sector. The company’s strategy is in synergy with the Vietnam Government’s energy development goal. Scatec owns and operates the Dam Nai Wind farm phases I and II with a combined capacity of 39MW.

Dam Nai Wind is located in the “renewable energy capital” of Vietnam in the Ninh Thuan province in the southern part of the country and provides 123GWh of clean energy per annum to Vietnam’s consumers.