Gia Lai is leveraging its rich natural resources and strong wind and solar potential to position itself as a renewable energy hub in the Central and Central Highlands regions.
In an interview with Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television, Nguyễn Hữu Quế, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, discussed the province’s priorities for sustainable energy development, environmental protection, and investment attraction.
▪How do you assess the potential and role of renewable energy in Gia Lai’s socio-economic development?
Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Hữu Quế. Photo: Provided by the interviewee
- Gia Lai, with more than 21,576 km² of land and a 134-km coastline, holds major advantages in geography, climate, and natural resources. These conditions support a wide range of renewable energy sources, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, waste-to-energy, and geothermal energy.
We are gradually unlocking this potential with the goal of becoming a leading renewable energy center and a driving force for green growth in the region. Clean energy development enables us to restructure the economy, urban areas, and industry toward sustainability and long-term efficiency. It also supports the national shift to a green and circular economy, tied to digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
According to the National Power Development Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050 (Power Plan VIII), renewable energy capacity in Gia Lai is expected to reach about 9,657 MW by 2035, with an additional pipeline of more than 23,000 MW in potential projects.
We currently have 85 renewable energy projects in commercial operation, totaling 4,179 MW. These projects play a significant role in economic growth, grid development, and job creation for thousands of local workers. They establish the foundation for Gia Lai’s aspiration to achieve double-digit economic growth in the 2026–2030 period.
Ia Pết Wind Power Plant (Ia Băng commune). Photo: Hà Duy
▪What measures does the province prioritize to ensure renewable energy development aligns with environmental protection and local livelihoods?
- Our principle is clear: renewable energy must harmonize economic, environmental, and social benefits. We require strict oversight of technology and equipment, banning outdated or energy-intensive systems that could harm the environment.
Authorities strengthen supervision of investor commitments, environmental safeguards, project capacity, and energy efficiency. We prioritize projects located on arid land, degraded land, low-yield agricultural areas, or inefficient production forests. No new projects are permitted in special-use or protective forests.
Projects must minimize resettlement and relocation, and investors are encouraged to hire local workers. We also mobilize resources to support the energy transition by balancing the interests of the State, investors, and local communities.
The province promotes international cooperation in climate response, technology transfer, and green innovation. We invest heavily in science, technology, and digital transformation, while training high-quality human resources for the renewable energy sector. Strengthening the link between research institutes, universities, and enterprises remains a core strategy for sustainable development.
Krông Pa Solar Power Plant with a capacity of 49 MW. Photo: Provided by the unit
▪What are the province’s priority orientations and key policies to attract renewable energy investment in the coming period?
- Our vision is to integrate clean energy with green industry, high-tech agriculture, logistics, and digital transformation. This supports the national circular economy action plan through 2035.
Based on the Resolution of the First Provincial Party Congress, we have outlined five investment priorities:
First, integrate renewable energy with circular-economy sectors, focusing on green industry, high-tech agriculture, modern logistics, and digital transformation to build sustainable value chains.
Second, develop carbon-neutral and eco-industrial parks, smart industrial zones, eco-residential areas, and smart grids. These will help establish Gia Lai as a regional center for green energy and ecological urban development.
Third, ensure a transparent, predictable investment environment by publicly disclosing planning documents and project lists, encouraging private sector participation.
Fourth, selectively attract investors in industries powered by green electricity—such as agricultural processing with near-zero carbon emissions, new materials, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and other high-tech sectors. We also prioritize the adoption of modern, environmentally friendly technology.
Fifth, build a comprehensive service and maintenance supply chain for the renewable energy sector, and establish a provincial Renewable Energy Human Resource Training and Development Center to create high-skill technical jobs and improve income levels.
To realize these goals, Gia Lai continues to propose mechanisms enabling private investment in transmission grids, adjustments to renewable energy capacity based on provincial potential, and expanded local authority in project management.
At the same time, we will implement policies to attract high-tech, eco-friendly investment aligned with circular-economy and green-growth models, while closely supporting businesses to ensure project progress and socio-economic development.
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