Australian delegation visiting in search of energy cooperation

A delegation of sixteen Australian energy firms is visiting Vietnam to meet with representatives of the domestic energy industry and to participate in Vietnam-Australia Energy Forum in Hanoi to find business opportunities.

“Vietnam is an important partner to Australia in the ASEAN region. The two countries share a number of common interests, including energy development and security,” said Craig Chittick, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, at the forum organised by the Australian government in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

“Energy security continues to be an economic priority for Australia and Vietnam. Australia is among the top coal exporters in the world and in the future years will be the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter,” he added.

Coal mining in Australia is an increasingly sophisticated and hi-tech activity. Continuous improvements in mining technology, occupational health and safety, and environmental performance have ensured that Australia is an efficient and reliable producer of high-quality thermal and metallurgical coal for the international market.

Janelle Casey, Trade Commissioner at the Australian Embassy said, “Australian companies have contributed to the transformation of the electricity market. This has been achieved through effective market design, enabling technologies, commercial energy solutions, and an attractive investment mechanism.”

Vietnam has been developing mechanisms and policies to transit from fossil fuel to clean energy and renewable energy alternatives, to create a low-carbon and environmentally friendly economy. Simultaneously, Vietnam’s power market has also been developing to gradually enhance the competitiveness and transparency of electricity activities and create a positive signal to attract investment in developing new power resources.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, director general of MoIT’s Electricity Regulatory Authority, said that, “Australia’s strengths in the energy sector are in line with the needs of Vietnam in ensuring energy security as well as protecting the environment. So the potential for expanding the two country’s cooperation in the energy sector is very positive.”

By Phuong Thu / VIR