USAID Vietnam Low Emission Energy Program (V-LEEP) Quarterly Progress Report FY17 Q1 (October – December 2016)

The program is implemented by USAID and focuses on three main components: Green Growth Action Plan, Renewable Energy, and Industrial Energy Efficiency. During the first quarter of FY17 (October – December 2016), the V-LEEP team initiated technical work under each of the three project components as outlined in the Year 2 Work Plan. The team made several field trips to promote V-LEEP activities, revised overall indicator targets, and continued to work with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) on the project approval. For Component 1, the activities centered on the Green Growth Action Plan for Thanh Hoa province and the potential renewable energy opportunities. V-LEEP made a field trip to Thanh Hoa in October, met with the Provincial authorities, visited a number of project sites, and identified six potential renewable energy projects. Follow-up activities were conducted and a draft Project Assistance Program developed for a 30MW solar project with Lam Son Sugar and Cane Company. For Component 2, the team concentrated on developing the framework of technical assistance for adoption of Direct Power Purchase Agreements and continued outreach activities with potential project developers, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), and renewable energy off-takers. V-LEEP continues to provide support to these developers and development partners to identify potential projects and provide technical assistance. For Component 3, V-LEEP has continued to address activities pertaining to industry characterization, ESCO capacity assessment, and energy efficiency labeling and standards in Vietnam. For the 6 identified energy-intensive industries, a preliminary first version of these reports has been completed. During this quarter, meetings have been conducted with different stakeholders in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to investigate opportunities for Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) and RE project development, implementation, and assessing the needs for potential support and capacity building. Notable accomplishments during this quarter include the signing of a technical assistance Memorandum of Understanding with Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam for solar power development, meeting and agreement with Lam Son Sugar and Cane Company to support a 30MW solar plant, assessment of Thanh Hoa Green Growth Action Plan, and field trips to visit with stakeholders and lay the groundwork for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. V-LEEP also met with MOIT and agreed to support the development of Renewable Energy Direct Power Purchase Agreements, and supported the Vietnam Business Forum on promulgating the Made in Vietnam Energy Plan. Due to the ongoing process of obtaining Project Activity approval, the V-LEEP program will accelerate activities not directly related to the institutional elements of V-LEEP, and will concentrate on private sector initiatives. This will be the focus for the next quarter. V-LEEP staff also participated in several workshops, made field trips, and hosted/attended meetings with various stakeholders interested in collaborating on V-LEEP. The Year 2 work plan was approved and Deloitte submitted all required project management reports and deliverables during this quarter. The V-LEEP program has made substantial progress across all components, with notable accomplishments in the areas of renewable energy, industrial energy efficiency, and green growth action plans. The program continues to work with various stakeholders to promote low-emission energy development in Vietnam and to support the country's transition to a low-carbon economy.