FLASH NEWS: Update on key revisions to Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8)

On Apr 15, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son signed Decision No. 768/QĐ-TTg, approving the Adjusted Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8), which includes the following key revisions:

1/ Increased Commercial Electricity Output and Growth Rate: The projected commercial output and growth rate have been significantly increased compared to the previous plan (cttpp) due to a higher GDP growth target. Specifically, output is estimated to reach 557.8 bn kWh by 2030, +10.4% cttpp; and 1,237.7 bn kWh by 2050, +11.1% cttpp. Consequently, the average annual growth rate of commercial electricity output is projected at 10.0% for the 2026-2030 period, compared to 8.6% in the previous plan and 7.5% for the 2030-2050 period, compared to 4.0% in the previous plan.

2/ Augmented Electricity Supply and Shift in Power Source Structure: The electricity supply has also been significantly increased cttpp to accommodate the increased demand. Furthermore, the structure of power sources will undergo a substantial shift towards green energy, prioritizing clean energy sources such as renewable energy and incorporating nuclear power into the adjusted plan. Specifically:

Coal-fired power will be reduced by 15.9% cttpp, reaching 31,055 MW by 2030. The remaining coal-fired power plants will be converted to biomass fuel, -12.3% cttpp, reaching 25,798 MW by 2050.

Gas thermal using LNG will be prioritized for development to compensate for the reduction in coal-fired power, with a +52.2% cttpp, reaching 22,524 MW by 2030. By 2050, it is projected that 18,200 MW of gas-fired power will utilize LNG co-fired with hydrogen, +33.8% cttpp.

Hydropower development will be emphasized to fully exploit its potential, peaking at 40,624 MW by 2050, +14.2% cttpp.

Nuclear power has been specifically added to the adjusted plan, with 4,000 MW expected to be operational by 2030 and increasing to 10,500 MW by the end of 2050. The previous QHĐ8 did not include any plans for nuclear power development.

Wind and Solar power also be prioritized for development, with nearshore wind power more than doubling cttpp, reaching 26,066 MW by 2030 and 84,696 MW by 2050. Offshore wind power will be developed with a capacity of 6,000 MW from 2026 to 2030, a sector not mentioned in the previous plan. By 2050, offshore wind power will reach 113,503 MW, +146.7% cttpp. Similarly, solar power will continue to be developed, reaching 46,459 MW by 2030, +181.7% cttpp and 293,088 MW by 2050, +130.8% cttpp.