Awakening Viet Nam's offshore wind potential

From June 9-11 in Hanoi, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) hosted the APAC Wind Energy Summit 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry experts, investors, and leading businesses in the renewable energy sector.

A regional vision for energy transition

Under the theme “Wind Power to Prosperity in APAC: Building an Electricity-Driven Economy by Scaling Wind and Its Supply Chain,” the summit serves as a key high-level platform for advancing cooperation, strengthening supply chains, and accelerating the achievement of sustainable energy transition goals across the region.

Speaking at the plenary opening session on June 10, Nguyen Hoang Long, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, emphasized that Viet Nam’s demand for clean, reliable, and sustainable energy continues to grow. Offshore wind power, he noted, plays a crucial role in ensuring national energy security while driving the development of supporting industries, supply chains, technical services, and a highly skilled workforce.

“Through this summit, we hope to learn from international experience, successful models, and practical lessons from countries that have gone before us, particularly the Philippines and other partners with extensive expertise in offshore wind development,” he said.

According to the Deputy Minister, Viet Nam can draw valuable lessons from Norway’s experience. Offshore wind development is not merely about constructing power generation projects; it involves building an entire ecosystem, including supply chains, manufacturing industries, port infrastructure, technical services, and human resource development.

Kickstarting Offshore Wind Projects in Viet Nam

Mr. Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), expressed his expectations for the announcement of the Offshore Wind Accelerator Program in Viet Nam during the event, following years of preparation.

Regarding the development potential, Mr. Backwell noted that Viet Nam possesses numerous advantages to become a regional renewable energy hub, thanks to its abundant offshore wind resources, an increasingly sophisticated industrial base, a high-quality workforce, and rapid economic growth.

However, he noted that the key challenge is no longer defining the development pathway, but rather accelerating project implementation, streamlining administrative procedures, enhancing coordination among government agencies, and establishing investment mechanisms attractive enough to mobilize capital.

“Viet Nam has made significant progress in strengthening its policy framework for offshore wind development. Given its immense potential, coupled with close collaboration among the Government, businesses, investors, and international partners, I am confident that offshore wind will become a new driver of economic growth. When we meet again next year, I expect to see more projects underway and more tangible results in advancing this industry in Viet Nam,” Mr. Ben Backwell said.

Meanwhile, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) noted that electrification is evolving beyond its traditional role as a climate change mitigation solution to become a key driver of industrialization, sustainable transport, green cooling, economic digitalization, and greater energy independence. As end-use sectors such as transport, industry, and buildings become increasingly engaged in the energy transition, countries now have an opportunity to explore how renewable energy and electrification can be effectively integrated to achieve both development and energy security objectives.

“With nearly 165 GW of new wind power capacity commissioned worldwide over the past year, the global wind industry continues to demonstrate strong momentum. However, translating that momentum into tangible outcomes requires political will and a firm commitment to action. Countries such as Viet Nam will play a critical role in turning this momentum into concrete economic benefits, not only for themselves but for the wider region through enhanced cooperation and energy connectivity,” emphasized Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General of IRENA.

During the summit, the UK - Viet Nam Offshore Wind Partnership Programme was officially launched, marking a new phase of cooperation aimed at accelerating the development of Viet Nam’s offshore wind industry.

The APAC Wind Energy Summit is the leading regional business platform, bringing its fourth edition to governments, industry, and civil society to advance wind energy market opportunities in Asia Pacific. It covers Offshore, Floating and Onshore Wind, Hybrid Generation, Green Hydrogen, Power to X, Energy Storage, and much more. Organised by the Global Wind Energy Council and RE+ Events, the Summit connects markets, strengthens the regional supply chain, and supports business potential across the energy transition.