The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has approved an updated Implementation Plan for the National Power Development Master Plan (Power Plan VIII) for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

As a result, 142 solar projects, which had previously experienced scrutiny, have been added to the updated implementation plan.

Previously, according to a conclusion in late 2023 by the Government Inspectorate, the MoIT had included 154 solar power projects, with a combined capacity of 13,837 MW, into the plan without any legal foundation or adequate justification. Among these, 123 projects were identified as key contributors to system imbalances, inefficiencies in power source structure, and waste of social resources.

To address the issue, the Government approved a policy to remove legal entanglements for  these 154 projects,  aiming to mitigate wasted social resources while preserving the confidence of both domestic and foreign investors.

According to the MoIT, the newly approved 142 projects consist of solar power facilities that have already achieved commercial operation by January 13, 2025, and been integrated into the solar power framework of Power Plan VIII.

Currently, Ninh Thuan province leads in the number of solar power projects and plants. Other solar projects are distributed across various provinces and cities, including Binh Thuan, Dak Lak, Long An, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, and Khanh Hoa, among others.