Vietnam Cleantech Waste to Energy Market

Overview
Vietnam is facing the severe challenge of managing its increasing municipal solid waste (MSW) in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. According to the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Vietnam generates approximately 76,000 tons of solid waste daily, to increase by 10-16 percent annually due to rapid urbanization and population growth. About 85 percent of the waste generated is landfilled without pre-treatment, 80 percent of which is unclean and pollutes the environment. Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative MSW management options, such as Waste-to-energy (WtE), which can reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, recover valuable resources, and generate electricity or heat from waste. The Waste-to-energy (WtE) market in Vietnam is relatively small but has significant growth potential. According to an International Finance Corporation (IFC) report, the organization estimates that the potential for energy recovery from solid waste in Vietnam is approximately 1,400 megawatts (MW) per year, which can contribute to the country’s renewable energy targets and energy security. However, only a fraction of this potential is realized, with the country’s Waste-to-energy (WtE) capacity estimated at around 300 MW. Several barriers and challenges to the development of Waste-to-energy (WtE) in Vietnam include the lack of supportive policies and regulations, high capital and operating costs, low public awareness and acceptance, and technical and institutional capacity gaps. We will provide market prospects and opportunities for Waste-to-energy (WtE) in Vietnam in the coming part.

Market Opportunity
There is a substantial prospect for the solid waste management market in Vietnam with the government’s commitment to improving waste management practices and increasing private sector participation.  
The key drivers of the Waste-to-energy (WtE) market in Vietnam are the country’s rapidly increasing energy demand, the need for sustainable energy sources, and the government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which present significant market opportunities for Waste-to-energy (WtE) projects in Vietnam in the coming years. U.S. companies have a strong history of innovation and expertise in developing Waste-to-energy (WtE) projects. U.S. companies have advanced technologies and expertise in the development of Waste-to-energy (WtE) projects, which can be valuable in supporting the growth of the Waste-to-energy (WtE) market in Vietnam, including:
•    Gasification technology: U.S. companies have advanced gasification technology that can efficiently and effectively convert waste into energy.
•    Anaerobic digestion: U.S. companies have experience and expertise in anaerobic digestion technology.
•    Advanced thermal treatment: Advanced thermal treatment technologies, such as pyrolysis and plasma gasification, convert waste into clean energy with minimal environmental impact.
•    Project development and financing.
•    Regulatory compliance and environmental management: U.S. companies have experience navigating complex regulatory environments and managing environmental risks associated with Waste-to-energy (WtE) projects. 

GM Vietnam observed Waste-to-energy (WtE) project opportunities and received local developers’ interest in cooperating with U.S. companies in the Vietnam market, mainly urban and industrial localities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City, Dong Nai, Long An, and Hanoi.

For more information, please contact:
 Mr. Nam Tran, Commercial Specialist
U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City
E-mail: Nam.Tran@trade.gov