Lam Dong Resolves Energy Project Bottlenecks: Turning Challenges into Momentum
Despite strong potential for energy development, many projects in Lam Dong have faced slow implementation due to prolonged obstacles. Ongoing efforts to remove these difficulties are now creating positive signals for key investment projects.
Unlocking persistent “bottlenecks”
According to the Department of Industry and Trade, under Power Development Plan VIII and its updated version, Lam Dong is projected to achieve a total power capacity of approximately 15,100 MW by 2035.
This figure includes 33 projects that have received preliminary approval and 31 projects that are either not yet approved or lack selected investors. With this capacity, Lam Dong ranks among the provinces with the greatest potential for power development in the Central Highlands and the South Central Coast regions.
Nonetheless, unlocking this potential still presents considerable challenges. Numerous projects are stuck at the initial stages of the investment process, while others encounter obstacles related to land-use planning, forestry land, environmental regulations, and connection to the national grid. Consequently, the province needs to tackle these challenges incrementally, focusing on resolving issues for each specific project.
Importantly, floating solar power initiatives on the Dai Ninh, Ham Thuan, and Da Mi reservoirs are attracting significant investor interest. Leveraging the surface area of existing hydropower reservoirs not only optimizes the use of available natural resources but also alleviates pressure on agricultural land.
Furthermore, various wind power initiatives in the western region of Lam Dong are undergoing review and updates to ensure they comply with the approved plans. To accelerate progress, the province has held several focused meetings to identify the causes of delays and assign responsibilities to the appropriate agencies.
Concurrently, six dedicated task forces have been formed to assess and tackle challenges across different sectors, guaranteeing a coordinated and efficient execution.
Nguyen Ba Ut, the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, states that the primary challenges currently include land-use planning, forestry land, investment procedures, and grid connection capacity. Various departments and agencies are working together to analyze each project and provide the Provincial People’s Committee with recommendations that comply with legal standards, ensuring that development needs and state regulations are balanced.
In addition to local issues, the province has also gathered and forwarded several recommendations that exceed its jurisdiction to central ministries for their consideration. This approach is viewed as a crucial method for resolving persistent obstacles.
Positive signals from key projects
Following a thorough evaluation of prospective initiatives, the initial steps to eliminate barriers have begun to yield significant results. As stated by the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, the province is now assessing 30 proposed investment projects for the 2026–2030 period.
Through this evaluation process, eight projects with a combined capacity of nearly 1,000 MW have qualified for investment assessment. Among these, the Department of Finance has submitted two projects, accounting for nearly 300 MW, to the Provincial People’s Committee for approval of their investment policy, as part of comprehensive efforts to create scenarios that align with adjustments to Power Development Plan VIII.
The last six projects are being prioritized for review and are anticipated to be presented to the Provincial People’s Committee in the third quarter of this year. After years of stagnation due to procedural challenges, the eligibility of eight projects for appraisal marks a notable milestone in facilitating energy development initiatives in the province.
These developments indicate that efforts to eliminate obstacles have progressed beyond mere policy discussions and are starting to yield tangible results. From many stalled initiatives, the province has systematically pinpointed those that meet the criteria for execution, establishing a foundation for new energy sources in the near future.
At the same time, investors continue to express strong interest in Lam Dong’s energy sector, particularly floating solar and wind power projects. Numerous meetings between investors and the Provincial People’s Committee have been held to explore and propose implementation plans aligned with planning frameworks and local conditions.
Resolving existing shortcomings will contribute to promoting the province’s growth targets. Each project put into operation not only removes a bottleneck but also releases stalled investment and production resources
Le Trong Yen, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee
According to sector assessments, once implemented, these projects will help add clean electricity to the national grid, while also generating budget revenue, creating jobs, and promoting supporting industries.
New growth momentum
In light of Lam Dong’s ambitious economic growth objectives for the upcoming period, fast-tracking energy projects has been identified as a primary focus. Energy is not only a vital infrastructure component for production but also a critical element in attracting industrial investment. A reliable and advanced energy system will enhance investor confidence when selecting the province for their expansion plans.
Specifically, with nearly 1,000 MW of projects currently being activated, Lam Dong is progressively establishing a significant new power supply source that will enhance electricity access for industries, services, and everyday life.
The province's recent decisive measures indicate progress in overcoming obstacles to energy projects. While challenges persist, the steady alleviation of bottlenecks and the advancement of projects into the appraisal and preparation phases are raising hopes for a new stage of growth in the local energy sector.
Recent developments suggest that efforts to address difficulties in energy projects in Lam Dong are shifting from policy focus to tangible action. Once these projects complete the necessary procedures and are executed, they will not only enhance the electricity capacity of the national grid but also pave the way for new opportunities in industry, attract investment, and foster local economic growth in the years to come.
During the period from 2026 to 2030, the province focuses on expanding its energy sector, with the goal of developing the Son My Power Center, which is designed to have a capacity of 4,500 MW. It is also looking to draw investment into solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and pumped-storage hydropower initiatives, while laying the groundwork for pilot offshore wind projects associated with hydrogen and green ammonia production. Meanwhile, the province is committed to enhancing mechanisms and policies for renewable energy advancement, speeding up investment in transmission infrastructure, and evaluating as well as supplementing power generation initiatives to align with planning requirements.