Accelerating high-voltage direct current (HVDC) development in Vietnam

The UK Government's Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme is inviting quotations from qualified suppliers or consortia to provide technical assistance to Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) to strengthen institutional, technical, and regulatory capacity for the development and deployment of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission infrastructure in Vietnam. Vietnam's rapidly growing power system faces increasing challenges associated with the uneven geographical distribution of generation resources and demand centres.

As renewable energy deployment accelerates, particularly offshore wind and large-scale solar power, the national grid is experiencing growing transmission constraints, power losses, and risks to system stability. Limited land availability for new transmission corridors has highlighted the importance of modern transmission technologies to support the country's energy transition.

The Revised National Power Development Plan (PDP8) identifies HVDC infrastructure as a strategic priority for strengthening transmission capacity, improving grid flexibility and reliability, reducing electrical losses, and enabling higher penetration of renewable energy. The plan includes the development of multiple HVDC transmission corridors, converter stations, and associated infrastructure from 2031 onwards.

Through this assignment, UK PACT will support EVN and EVNNPT to assess the technical, economic, institutional, and regulatory requirements for HVDC deployment in Vietnam. The selected supplier will review the existing policy and regulatory framework, evaluate the feasibility of planned HVDC investments, assess suitable technology options, and develop practical tools and guidance documents to support investment decision-making.

The supplier will also undertake stakeholder mapping, assess capacity gaps within key institutions, and provide targeted technical assistance and training to strengthen national expertise in HVDC planning, modelling, investment appraisal, and system operation. In addition, the assignment will generate evidence and recommendations to support implementation of PDP8, contribute to the objectives of Vietnam's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and enhance readiness for future investment in modern transmission infrastructure.