FY2021 QUARTER 1 REPORT: Vietnam Urban Energy Security

The project's overall goal is to deploy advanced, distributed energy solutions, with expected results including the deployment of at least 400 megawatts of advanced, distributed energy systems, mobilization of at least $600 million in public and private investment, and demonstration of at least 20 innovative solutions to address urban energy and environment issues. The project is working with the Department of Industry and Trade in both target cities to achieve several objectives, including improving the enabling environment for the deployment of advanced, distributed energy systems, mobilizing public and private sector investment, and increasing adoption of innovative technologies and business practices. The project team has been expanding its team and geographic footprint, recruiting staff in the two target cities, including technical leads, clean energy finance specialists, and city coordinators. During the first quarter of the second fiscal year, the project team focused on securing project approval in Danang and Ho Chi Minh City while continuing to build a solid technical and operational foundation. One major achievement completed this quarter was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with EVN, which will allow EVN to share data with the project team to carry out analysis on the integration of rooftop solar and prepare capacity building materials for grid operators. The project team also continued to communicate and coordinate with relevant donor-funded activities, including USAID-funded projects, other donors, and donor-supported activities. The team participated in the review of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Clean Energy Transaction Assistance and Catalytic Fund and collaborated with NREL on the rooftop solar integration analysis and capacity building. The project team anticipates approval in Danang by the end of March 2021 and hopes for approval in Ho Chi Minh City by the end of June 2021. The Activity Fund issued a number of solicitations, including a Request for Applications (RFA) to identify an acceleration partner to support clean energy innovations and a call for Expressions of Interest to identify renewable energy and energy efficiency project developers. The project team has been working with various stakeholders, including USAID Southeast Asia (SEA) EDGE Hub, USAID INVEST, USAID-NREL Partnership, US Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and GIZ, to promote information sharing, activity coordination, and dissemination of best practices. In terms of technical activities, the project team continued to work on rooftop solar integration and energy efficiency, including the presentation of pre-feasibility findings for energy efficient public lighting and the handover of this work to DOIT to continue under their partnership agreement with the Asian Development Bank. The team also received new requests for support from Vinbus and Vietstar to help them make investments in rooftop solar and achieve their renewable energy goals.