Offshore wind potential

After nearly a decade of implementing Resolution 36-NQ/TW on the Strategy for sustainable development of Viet Nam's marine economy and enforcing the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment, new opportunities have emerged, but significant challenges have also arisen, including conflicts in marine spatial use, limitations in sea allocation mechanisms, and the need to transition toward a blue economy model.

The series "Sustainable development of the marine economy" captures developments in coastal localities, along with perspectives from experts, businesses, management agencies, and international organizations, in order to identify opportunities, challenges, and institutional bottlenecks on Viet Nam’s path toward becoming a strong maritime nation that thrives on its marine resources.

Unlocking potential from the sea

On windy days, looking out from both the East Sea and the West Sea in Ca Mau, dozens of wind turbines can be seen steadily spinning. These "giant blades" are not only reshaping the landscape at Viet Nam's southernmost tip but also opening up prospects for the Mekong Delta's renewable energy hub.

With the advantage of being bordered by the sea on three sides, boasting a coastline of more than 310 kilometers, and benefiting from stable year-round winds, Ca Mau is gradually transforming its potential into a new driver of economic growth. Offshore wind power is no longer a vision for the future; it is becoming an increasingly visible component of the province's strategy for developing a sustainable blue economy.

In addition, Ca Mau has a maritime area of approximately 120,000 km² and one of the country’s largest mangrove forest ecosystems. These are considered special advantages for developing modern marine economic sectors, including renewable energy. In recent years, a series of wind power projects have taken shape along the province's coastline. Rising from coastal mudflats, wind turbine towers with a height of hundreds of meters create a modern and distinctive image for the Ca Mau region.

To date, Ca Mau province has put 16 wind power plants into commercial operation during the 2021-2025 period, with a total capacity of more than 870 MW. At the same time, a series of large-scale energy projects are being promoted, including the Bac Lieu LNG power project (3,200 MW) and the Japanese-invested wind power project (50 MW). Ca Mau has also developed a project to export 2,000-5,000 MW of electricity and produce around 86,248 tons of green hydrogen annually. The proposal has been approved by the Prime Minister under the National Power Development Plan VIII.

According to Mr. Pham Van Muoi, Deputy Director of the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment, in implementing Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Viet Nam’s Marine Economy, the province has identified renewable energy as one of its breakthrough directions, closely linked to green growth and sustainable development goals.

Beyond nearshore wind power, Ca Mau is now aiming to develop large-scale offshore wind power, gradually positioning itself as a clean energy hub for the Southwestern region. Under its development orientation toward 2050, the province expects renewable energy to become a key pillar alongside fisheries and marine tourism.

More than just clean power source

Notably, wind power projects in Ca Mau not only generate electricity but also open up new development space for the marine economy. At the Hoa Binh 1 Wind Power Plant, roads leading to offshore turbines have become popular check-in destinations for tourists.

The Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee has recently issued a list of 96 investment projects in 2026, including a series of wind power projects in coastal areas such as Hoa Binh, Dong Hai, Ngoc Hien, and Khai Long, with total investment capital of tens of trillions of dong.

According to Mr. Hoang Van Cuong, Director of the Hoa Binh 1 Wind Power Plant, the enterprise is gradually developing a wind power model combined with ecotourism, offering accommodation services, ecological forest experiences, sports activities, and wind turbine tours.

"The Hoa Binh 1, Hoa Binh 1 Phase 2, and Hoa Binh 2 projects currently have a combined capacity of 150 MW, with a total investment of around VND 8.2 trillion. Each year, the plants supply nearly 500 million kWh of electricity, generate revenue of approximately VND 1.2 trillion, and contribute more than VND 100 billion to the budget. As of the end of June 2025, the three plants had delivered around 1.7 billion kWh to the national grid, generated roughly VND 4.3 trillion in revenue, and contributed about VND 400 billion to the budget," Mr. Cuong emphasized.

Mr. Cuong added that these wind power projects have also joined the international carbon credit market. Nearly 2 million carbon credits have been issued on the European market in partnership with Switzerland at a price of around EUR 1.8 per credit, opening up a new pathway for the carbon economy and emissions reduction.

From simply generating electricity, wind power is creating a range of new value chains, spanning services, tourism, and the green economy. This is also considered a suitable direction as many countries continue tightening emission standards for exported goods.

Removing bottlenecks for offshore expansion

Despite achieving positive results, Ca Mau still faces numerous challenges, including unsynchronized coastal infrastructure, limited logistics capacity, increasingly complex coastal erosion, and human resources that have yet to meet the demands of the new development pathway.

The biggest bottleneck at present is that the power transmission infrastructure has yet to keep pace with the rapid development of electricity generation sources. Many businesses say power curtailment still occurs during peak periods due to the risk of grid overload, directly affecting investment efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure constraints, a range of obstacles related to investment procedures, power purchase mechanisms, site clearance, and marine spatial planning have also delayed the implementation of several projects.

Another major challenge lies in human resources. According to provincial assessments, most workers in the marine economy are still unskilled laborers, while the renewable energy sector requires a highly skilled workforce with expertise in advanced technology and modern operations.

From this reality, Ca Mau has determined that offshore wind power development must go hand in hand with marine spatial planning, logistics infrastructure development, and high-quality human resources training. The province is also prioritizing the attraction of large-scale renewable energy projects while accelerating administrative reforms to expand investment space.

According to Mr. Pham Van Muoi, Deputy Director of the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province has identified marine economic development as a strategic, central, and long-term mission. By 2030, Ca Mau aims to achieve an average GRDP growth rate of over 10%, with marine economic sectors contributing around 40-45% of total provincial budget revenue, while per capita GRDP is expected to reach over USD 6,000.

By 2045, Ca Mau strives to become a province with a strong marine economy in the Mekong Delta region, with modern, green, and sustainable marine economic industries; improved living standards for local people; and marine and island resources managed and utilized in an effective and sustainable manner.

From June 4 - 6, 2026, in Cua Lo Ward (Nghe An Province), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, will organize a series of communication events in response to World Environment Day (June 5), World Oceans Day (June 8), the Environmental Action Month, and Viet Nam Sea and Island Week 2026.

1. National Forum on Environment and Climate - From Policy to Action

Time: 8:00 AM, June 5, 2026

Venue: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

Online participation: ID 942 6837 3034. Password: KH0605

2. National Workshop: "Improving Institutions and Policies to Promote Sustainable Marine Economic Development"

Time: 2:00 PM, June 5, 2026

Venue: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

Online participation: ID 934 2999 5099. Password: HT0506

3. Art Program: "Viet Nam's Seas - A Journey of Green Space"

Time: 8:00 PM, June 5, 2026

Venue: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

4. National Launch Ceremony responding to World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, Environmental Action Month, and Viet Nam Sea and Island Week 2026; launching the movement "The Whole People Join Hands to Protect the Environment for a Green - Clean - Beautiful Viet Nam"

Time: 6:00 AM, June 6, 2026

Venue: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

5. Exhibition: Blue Marine Economy - Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

Time: June 4 - 6, 2026

Venue: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

$1 = VND 26,390 - Source: Vietcombank