USAID Vietnam Low Emission Energy Program II (V-LEEP II) Quarterly Report for Year 1 Quarter 3 (April – June 2021)

The program aims to advance the transition of Vietnam to a clean, secure, and market-based energy sector by increasing the deployment of advanced energy systems, improving energy sector performance, and increasing competition in the energy sector. V-LEEP II transitioned the ongoing technical activities from the predecessor program, V-LEEP, on May 1, 2021. The program smoothly executed a seamless transition of these activities, providing continuity of support, maintaining relationships with counterparts, and keeping deliverables on their tight schedules. This ensured the momentum of high-priority activities was maintained. The DPPA Pilot Program, a key initiative under V-LEEP, will allow large foreign companies investing in Vietnam to meet their global sustainability commitments. V-LEEP worked closely with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) since 2017, achieving major progress and positioning GVN to launch the program in 2021. The program's support helped the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) confidently recommend significantly higher levels of clean energy in the country's future power mix. The Eighth National Power Development Plan (PDP-8) is a cornerstone document that sets the overarching vision and operating principles for Vietnam's power sector. V-LEEP introduced new modeling techniques and software to the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREA), running scenarios for the PDP-8 enabling the release of a draft plan in April 2021. This support helped EREA confidently recommend significantly higher levels of clean energy in the country's future power mix. V-LEEP II's technical accomplishments during the first quarter of the program included the completion of the DPPA Pilot Program design, the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan, and the implementation of a private sector engagement plan. The program also made significant progress in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainable development, with a focus on increasing the deployment of advanced energy systems and improving energy sector performance. The program's geographic focus is on Vietnam, with a specific emphasis on supporting the country's transition to a clean, secure, and market-based energy sector. The program's timeframes are aligned with the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and the National Energy Efficiency Program for the period of 2019-2030 (VNEEP3). The program's recommendations are based on the analysis of data and the implementation of best practices in the energy sector.