HCMC – Thermal power plants will be required to develop a roadmap for shifting to running on biomass or ammonia after operating for 20 years. Failure to do so will result in the closure of these plants after 40 years of operation.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien was speaking of this request at a meeting with thermal energy investors on June 13.

This directive aligns with Prime Minister’s Decision 500, which focuses on fuel conversion in coal-fired power plants in line with the national power development plan VIII.

The power development plan VIII for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, prioritizes the development of electricity sources and transmission lines of 220kV and above.

Vietnam Electricity Group’s Deputy General Director Nguyen Tai Anh said that the company is exploring methods to generate electricity using biomass and ammonia in some of its coal-fired power plants.

However, the ammonia co-firing technology is still under development and in the testing phase. Its impacts on the economy, human health, and the environment have not been assessed yet, and there is also limited global supply of biomass and ammonia.

Representatives of coal-fired power plants expressed concerns about the higher prices of biomass compared to coal and the absence of incentive mechanisms for the transition.

The Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with relevant agencies, has been tasked with conducting research to develop supportive mechanisms for thermal power plants to switch to electricity generated by ammonia or biomass.