Resolution 253/2025/QH15 mechanisms and policies for national energy development 2026–2030

RESOLUTION

On specific mechanisms and policies
for national energy development for the 2026–2030 period
 

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which was amended and supplemented under Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to Law No. 64/2025/QH15 on Promulgation of Legal Documents, which was amended and supplemented under Law No. 87/2025/QH15;

RESOLVES:

Article 1. Scope of regulation

1. This Resolution provides specific mechanisms and policies for national energy development for the 2026–2030 period, including: adjustment and updating of the power development plan and the power-supply network development plan under the provincial master plan; investment in the construction of power projects; offshore wind power development; direct power purchase and sale; investment in the construction of oil and gas and coal projects and facilities.

2. This Resolution shall not apply to projects falling within the functions and tasks of the Steering Committee established under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 751/QD-TTg of April 11, 2025.

Article 2. Subjects of application

1. Agencies, organizations, and individuals conducting electric power activities, using electricity, or carrying out other activities related to power sector in Vietnam.

2. Agencies, organizations, and individuals conducting oil and gas or coal sector activities, or carrying out other activities related to oil and gas or coal in Vietnam.

Article 3. Interpretation of terms

In this Resolution, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Oil and gas and coal projects and facilities of national importance and urgency means oil and gas and coal projects and facilities included in the list of nationally important projects and works and key energy-sector projects, as decided by the Prime Minister (excluding oil and gas exploration, appraisal, and production projects).

2. Offshore wind power project capacity aggregation point means the planned location for the installation of an offshore wind power capacity-collection substation located nearshore or onshore, as provided in the power development plan, for interconnection and transmission of output from offshore wind power projects to the national power system.

Article 4. Adjustment and updating of the plan

1. Adjustment and updating of the plan means a form of plan adjustment not falling within the cases of plan adjustment prescribed by the law on master plan, for the purpose of updating and completing certain contents of the power development plan and the power-supply network development plan under the provincial master plan, in response to practical needs, but without changing the viewpoints, objectives, or major orientations, and without increasing the total installed capacity under the composition of each type of power source in the approved power development plan.

2. Principles for carrying out plan adjustment and updating in respect of the power development plan and the power-supply network development plan under the provincial master plan:

a) Compliance with the Constitution and the law on electricity; consistency with the Party’s guidelines and the national power development orientation;

b) Assurance of energy security, power system safety, and requirements for energy transition;

c) Assurance of openness and transparency; strict control of powers; prevention and combat of corruption, waste, and misconduct in the process of approval of plan adjustment and updating.  

3. Cases eligible for adjustment and updating of the National Power Development Plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050 and the power-supply network development plan under the provincial master plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050:

a) Implementation in accordance with an agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and a foreign contracting party;

b) Adjustment of power generation projects and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, including: project name, capacity scale, implementation schedule, and administrative location (if any); addition of power generation projects to offset and replace power generation projects with delayed progress or projects not implemented; addition of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects to enhance the operational capability of the power system;

c) Adjustment of the number of projects included in the list of the power development plan and the power-supply network development plan under the provincial master plan;

d) Adjustment of grid projects, including: project name, quantity, capacity scale, voltage level, interconnection point, and implementation schedule; addition of grid projects to ensure synchronization with power sources, enable capacity evacuation of power sources, meet load demand, and ensure the safe and stable operation of the national power system.

4. Competence for approval of plan adjustment and updating is prescribed as follows:

a) The Minister of Industry and Trade shall approve plan adjustment and updating in respect of the power development plan and report the implementation results to the Prime Minister;

b) The Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee shall approve plan adjustment and updating in respect of the power-supply network development plan under the provincial master plan and report the implementation results to the Prime Minister, and concurrently submit the same to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for monitoring.

5. Plan adjustment and updating shall not require the preparation of a strategic environmental assessment report in accordance with the law on environmental protection.

6. Costs for the preparation of the dossier for plan adjustment and updating shall be funded from recurrent expenditures or capital expenditures in accordance with the law on the state budget, or from other lawful funding sources.

7. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Article 5. Investment in the construction of grid projects

1. Investment projects for the development and operation of the power grid included in the power development plan and the power-supply network development plan under the provincial master plan shall not be subject to the procedure for approval of investment policy.

2. With respect to power grid investment and business projects that do not fall within the cases of auction of land use rights or bidding for investor selection, the decision approving the power development plan, the provincial master plan, or the decision approving the investment project shall serve as the basis for implementation of: registration of land-use master plans and land use plans; land allocation, land lease, including land with a water surface; allocation of sea areas; change of land-use purpose, including land with a water surface; approval in principle for change of forest-use purpose; change of forest-use purpose; impacts on forests; and the completion of other related legal procedures.

3. With respect to power grid investment and business projects falling within the cases subject to bidding for investor selection, the document approving the bidding results shall serve as the basis for implementation of: registration of land-use master plans and land use plans; land allocation, land lease, including land with a water surface; allocation of sea areas; change of land-use purpose, including land with a water surface; approval in principle for change of forest-use purpose; change of forest-use purpose; impacts on forests; and the completion of other related legal procedures.

Article 6. Selection of investors for power-sector investment and business projects

1. In addition to the cases prescribed by the law on electricity, the law on investment, and the law on land, the cases for approval of an investor without auction of land use rights or bidding for investor selection shall include:

a) Investment projects for the construction, upgrading, and renovation of national and regional power system control centers under the national power system dispatch unit;

b) Offshore wind power projects as prescribed in Article 11 of this Resolution;

c) Cases in which an investor is approved to enter into an agreement on the receipt of land use rights to implement a power-sector investment and business project in accordance with the law on land and the law on investment;

d) Cases in which an investor having land use rights allocated by the State, leased by the State, or recognized by the State requests to implement a power-sector investment and business project in accordance with the law on land;

dd) Power projects with urgent requirements for immediate implementation to ensure schedule completion and energy security, falling within the cases subject to investor selection in special circumstances in accordance with the law on bidding.

2. On the basis of a proposal submitted by an enterprise in which the State holds 100% of the charter capital, or an enterprise in which such enterprise holds 100% of the charter capital, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the proposal dossier, the Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee shall review and decide on the approval of the investor for grid projects included in the power development plan or the provincial master plan.

3. With respect to power grid investment projects that traverse the administrative boundaries of two (02) or more provincial-level administrative units, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the proposal dossier, the Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee of the province where the line starting point is located, as identified by the grid project name in the power development plan or the provincial master plan shall review and decide on the approval of the investor for grid projects included in the power development plan or the provincial master plan, as proposed by the enterprise prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 7. Investment in the construction of infrastructure serving the operation of the power system and the electricity market

The national power system and electricity market operation one member limited liability company shall be exempted from the requirement on the three (03) most recent consecutive years of operation when eligibility conditions for on-lending or the grant of a Government guarantee are assessed.

Article 8. Regulations on the winning bid electricity price in bidding for investor selection for the implementation of power-sector investment and business projects

1. Except for thermal power projects, small modular nuclear power projects, and offshore wind power projects, power-sector investment and business projects with an applicable price framework subject to investor-selection bidding, the winning bid electricity price shall be the electricity purchase and sale contract price and not exceed the price framework applicable in the bidding year. The power purchaser shall negotiate and enter into an electricity purchase and sale agreement with the successful bidder in accordance with applicable laws in force.

2. The period for negotiation and execution of the electricity purchase and sale agreement for the projects prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article shall be thirty (30) days from the date on which the successful bidder submits a valid electricity purchase and sale negotiation dossier.

3. Clause 1 of this Article shall apply to power-sector investment and business projects having a scheduled commissioning timeframe from 2026 through the end of 2030, as stated in the bidding documents and having an operational period within 2025–2030 under the power development plan or under the power-supply network development plan within the provincial master plan.

Article 9. Small modular nuclear power development

1. Small modular nuclear power means a nuclear power plant using small modular reactors as defined and classified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

2. State-owned and private enterprises are encouraged to participate in research and investment in the development of small modular nuclear power.

3. The development of small modular nuclear power shall ensure nuclear security and safety and be consistent with the law on atomic energy and other relevant laws.

4. From time to time, based on development needs and the status of technology commercialization, the Government shall promulgate mechanisms for investment in the development of small modular nuclear power.

Article 10. Offshore wind power project survey

1. Costs and cost accounting for offshore wind power project surveys in accordance with Point a, Clause 2, Article 27 of the Law on Electricity No. 61/2024/QH15 and the costs for preparation of the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy of an offshore wind power project as prescribed in Point a, Clause 1, Article 28 of the Law on Electricity No. 61/2024/QH15 for purposes of bidding for selection of the investor, shall be implemented as follows:

a) Use of the enterprise’s production and business expenses for performance of the task;

b) Recorded as the enterprise’s production and business expenses if no investor is awarded the bid or implementation is not carried out in accordance with Clause 3, Article 27 of the Law on Electricity No. 61/2024/QH15 or where the project is not feasible for investment.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article; provisions on the eligibility conditions of the entity conducting offshore wind power project surveys.

Article 11. Development of offshore wind power projects for sale of electricity to the national power system, as included in the power development master plan and expected to commence operation during the 2025–2030 period

1. Dossier for application for approval of the investment policy for an offshore wind power project shall include the contents as prescribed by the law on investment, the contents of the pre-feasibility study report as prescribed by the law on construction and other contents as prescribed by the Government.

2. An offshore wind power project for sale of electricity to the national power system that is approved in principle for investment, with concurrent approval of the investor, without conducting an auction of land use rights or bidding for investor selection, shall be subject to the following conditions:

a) Satisfaction of requirements relating to national defense, security, and national sovereignty; marine and island natural resources and environment; maritime navigation; and petroleum and gas;

b) Inclusion in the power development master plan and expected to commence operation during the 2025–2030 period.

3. The Prime Minister shall approve in principle the investment, with concurrent approval of the investor, without conducting an auction of land use rights or bidding for investor selection for the project as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

4. The investor approved in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article shall conduct negotiations and enter into a power purchase agreement with the power purchaser. The electricity price of the investor’s offshore wind power project shall not exceed the maximum price level of the offshore wind power price ceiling applicable in the year of negotiation.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article; provisions on the eligibility conditions applicable to the enterprise preparing the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy for an offshore wind power project for implementation of the project; the receipt and processing of the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy for an offshore wind power project; the receipt and processing of the dossier for proposal of offshore wind power project surveys; the coordination mechanism between the authority receiving the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy and the authority receiving the dossier for application for offshore wind power project surveys.

Article 12. Development of offshore wind power projects for sale of electricity to the national power system, as included in the power development master plan and expected to commence operation during the 2031–2035 period

1. The dossier for application for approval of the investment policy of an offshore wind power project shall be prepared in accordance with Clause 1, Article 11 of this Resolution.

2. The Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality in which the offshore wind power project’s power-collection interconnection point falls within the administrative boundaries under his/her management shall have the authority to approve in principle the investment in such offshore wind power project.

The approval in principle of investment in an offshore wind power project shall require written concurrence from the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and other relevant authorities. The solicitation of opinions shall be carried out by the investment registration authority under the provincial-level People’s Committee, in the course of transmitting the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy for consultation with the relevant authorities.

3. The power-collection interconnection point of the offshore wind power project prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article shall be determined as follows:

a) In accordance with the power development master plan or the implementation plan of such master plan as approved by the competent authority;

b) At the proposal of the provincial-level People’s Committee, and subject to written concurrence of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, if the power-collection interconnection point of the offshore wind power project has not yet been determined in accordance with Point a of this Clause.

4. The competent authority shall allocate the sea area to an enterprise wholly owned by the State (holding 100% of the charter capital) to conduct offshore wind power project surveys for a project that has not yet been approved in principle for investment or no surveying entity has submitted a complete and valid dossier proposing offshore wind power project surveys.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article; provisions on the eligibility conditions applicable to the enterprise preparing the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy for an offshore wind power project for implementation of the project; the receipt and processing of the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy; the receipt and processing of the dossier for proposal of offshore wind power project surveys; the coordination mechanism between the authority receiving the dossier for application for approval of the investment policy and the authority receiving the dossier for application for offshore wind power project surveys.

Article 13. Direct power purchase mechanism

1. The electricity price under the power purchase agreement under the direct power purchase mechanism via a dedicated interconnection grid and under the electricity forward contract under the direct power purchase mechanism via the national power grid shall be negotiated and agreed upon by the power seller and the power purchaser.

2. Expansion of entities eligible to directly participate in the direct power purchase mechanism to include electricity retail entities in industrial zones, economic zones, export processing zones, industrial clusters, high-tech zones, concentrated digital technology zones, agricultural zones with high-tech application, urban areas and free trade zones.

3. The Minister of Industry and Trade shall prescribe in detail the specific capacity thresholds applicable to large electricity consumers participating in the cases of direct power purchase.

4. The Government shall detail Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

Article 14. Investment in the construction of oil and gas, and coal projects and works

1. Oil and gas and coal projects of national importance and urgency shall not be required to carry out the investment policy approval procedures.

2. For oil and gas, and coal projects of national importance and urgency that do not fall within the cases of auction of land use rights or bidding for investor selection, the decision approving the list of nationally important projects and works or energy-sector key projects and works, or the decision approving the investment project, shall serve as the basis for implementation of: the registration of land-use master plans and land use plans; land allocation and land lease, including land with water surface; allocation of sea areas; change of land-use purpose, including land with water surface; in-principle approval of conversion of forest use purpose; conversion of forest use purpose; interventions affecting forests; and the conduct of other relevant legal procedures.

3. For oil and gas, and coal projects of national importance and urgency that fall within the case of bidding for investor selection, the written approval of the bidding result shall serve as the basis for implementation of: the registration of land-use master plans and land use plans; land allocation and land lease, including land with water surface; allocation of sea areas; change of land-use purpose, including land with water surface; in-principle approval of conversion of forest use purpose; conversion of forest use purpose; interventions affecting forests; and the conduct of other relevant legal procedures.

4. For oil and gas and coal projects and facilities of national importance and urgency that are implementing compensation and site clearance activities, such activities may continue to be carried out in parallel in the event of adjustments to relevant plans or master plans.

5. On the basis of the proposal submitted by an enterprise in which the State holds 100% of the charter capital, or an enterprise in which such enterprise holds 100% of the charter capital, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the proposal dossier, the Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee shall review and decide on the approval of such enterprise as the investor of oil and gas, and coal projects of national importance and urgency, or a project located in sensitive areas in terms of national defense and security.

Article 15. Organization of implementation

The Government shall:

a) Unify state administration in the implementation of this Resolution;

b) Promulgate documents providing detailed regulations and implementation guidance for this Resolution, in accordance with the simplified order and procedures;

c) Implement this Resolution within the scope of its own assigned tasks and powers; conduct a three-year interim review of the implementation of this Resolution and report to the National Assembly at its year-end 2028 session; conduct the final review of the implementation of this Resolution and report to the National Assembly at its year-end 2030 session;

d) Direct relevant ministries, agencies, and People’s Committees at all levels to organize the implementation and direct the conduct of inspection and examination of compliance with the provisions of this Resolution, ensuring openness, transparency, integrity, and effectiveness; prevent policy profiteering, corruption, waste, misconduct, and losses; avoid the creation of a “give-and-take” discretionary approval mechanism; not give rise to any new barriers to energy investment, production, and business activities in accordance with law regulations.

2. The National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, the Council for Ethnic Affairs, the Committees of the National Assembly, National Assembly Deputation Groups, National Assembly deputies, and People’s Councils at all levels shall conduct supervision over the implementation of this Resolution within the scope of their respective tasks and powers.

Article 16. Implementation provisions

1. This Resolution takes effect from March 01, 2026.

2. This Resolution shall be implemented through December 31, 2030, except for cases as prescribed in Clause 3 and Clause 4 of this Article.

3. For any projects subject to bidding for investor selection as prescribed in Article 8 of this Resolution, for which the bidding dossier has been approved and issued through December 31, 2030, the proposed electricity price of the successful bidder shall continue to be implemented in accordance with Article 8 of this Resolution.

4. Any mechanisms, policies, projects, and works that have been decided for implementation by the competent authority in accordance with this Resolution but have not been completed as of the date this Resolution ceases to be effective shall continue to be implemented in accordance with the issued decision.

Any projects, works, or activities that have been approved and granted incentives under this Resolution during its effective period, but have not yet been completed as of the date this Resolution ceases to be effective, shall continue to be entitled to the incentives under this Resolution until such projects, works, or activities are completed.

5. If there are differences in provisions on the same issue between this Resolution and other laws or resolutions of the National Assembly, the provisions of this Resolution shall apply; except where another legal normative document provides for mechanisms or policies that are more preferential or more favorable than those under this Resolution, the beneficiary may elect to apply the most favorable incentive level.

6. Heads of agencies and units, and officials, civil servants, and public employees participating in the formulation and promulgation of the mechanisms and policies prescribed in this Resolution and the documents providing detailed regulations and implementation guidance shall be considered for exclusion, exemption, or mitigation of liability in accordance with Clause 11, Article 68 of the Law No. 64/2025/QH15 on Promulgation of Legal Documents, which was amended and supplemented under Law No. 87/2025/QH15.

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This Resolution was passed on December 11, 2025, by the XV^th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at its 10^th session.