In the week from November 30 to December 4, GIZ and the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREA) jointly held a series of training to equip officials with know-hows to promote bioenergy project development in their localities. The training took place in HCMC and Can Tho city, addressing officials from the surrounding provinces.

Participants of the training were delegated officials from People’s Committees, Departments of Industry and Trade (DOITs), Departments of Natural Resources and Environment (DONREs), Departments of Planning and Investment (DPIs), and Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARDs). They gained a general understanding of biomass and biogas for heat and power production, as well as insights into specific aspects of bioenergy project development such as pre-feasibility studies through presentations of experts from the University of Science and Technology (HUST) and from two German private sector representatives. GIZ’s project officers also shared about environmental, social benefits and challenges of bioenergy projects and the current approval process in Viet Nam.

The participants identified barriers for bioenergy project development jointly and pointed out: potential assessments that are easy to go outdated, fluctuating sources of residues besides difficulties associated with approval processes, site clearance and management of agreements with supply farmers.

Designed to foster interaction between learners, the participants were divided into groups to map the bioenergy potentials of given provinces. They then had an in-depth discussion of the provincial authority’s responsibilities in the approval process and how to enhance the process. The BEM* project is planning to have a policy dialogue between the national and provincial levels on barriers and solutions soon.

*The event is part of the Climate Protection through Sustainable Bioenergy Markets in Viet Nam (BEM) project, implemented by GIZ and the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREA) – Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT). The project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).

See more about BEM project

Find more photos of the event here.