News and Updates

Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved a revised Electricity Law focusing on fair pricing, renewable energy oversight, and a phased roadmap to eliminate cross-subsidies.

The revised Electricity Law, approved by the National Assembly on November 30, introduces significant updates to Vietnam’s energy policy, including a phased approach to ending cross-subsidies in electricity pricing. The law will take effect on February 1, 2025.

The revised law encompasses six main areas: power planning and development; renewable and new energy sources; conditions for electricity operations, including licensing and revocation; electricity trading activities; system management and operation; and safety standards for electricity use and hydropower dams.

One of the law's notable provisions addresses the elimination of cross-subsidies in electricity pricing. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly emphasized the importance of reducing and eventually eliminating cross-subsidies between customer groups and regions to create a more equitable pricing structure.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Vietnam National Assembly

Malaysia must enact radical changes to expand its renewable energy capacity amid tightening regulations. The country faces challenges like grid limitations, policy uncertainty, and slow project approvals. Experts urge clearer policies, faster implementation, and improved investor confidence to meet its clean energy targets and support a sustainable energy transition.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Luiz Cent / Unsplash

Over $13 billion in solar and wind investments in Vietnam are at risk as investors warn that proposed retroactive tariff changes could damage financial stability and erode long-term investor confidence.

Thailand plans to offer tax incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicle manufacturing, with the changes to take effect from 2026 if they are approved, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said on Monday.

Under the plans, tax collection would be based on the travel range per battery charge for a vehicle, with lower taxes for a longer travel range, Paopoom said, adding the proposal would be sent to cabinet by April.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

More than two dozen foreign and Vietnamese investors, including Adani Green Energy, have warned Vietnam's plans to retroactively change rules on subsidised prices for wind and solar energy could affect more than $13 billion of investments.

In a letter to Vietnamese leaders dated March 5 and reviewed by Reuters, the investors expressed "deep alarm" about the possible end of favourable energy tariffs, noting the policy change could undermine broader financial stability and erode confidence in Vietnam at a time when the country plans to significantly expand its renewables capacity.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Reuters