Vietnam, in the year 2025, derives slightly more than half of its electricity from fossil fuels, with coal being the predominant source, contributing nearly 48% of the total electricity. The country's commitment to shifting towards greener alternatives is evident from its low-carbon electricity generation, which accounts for approximately 46% of total electricity use. Hydropower dominates the low-carbon segment by a large margin, providing almost a third of Vietnam's electricity. Solar and wind energy, while not as dominant, contribute nearly 8% and just over 4%, respectively, indicating a growing diversification in the clean energy mix. Meanwhile, gas, a fossil fuel, accounts for about 6% of total electricity, highlighting the need for further transition to low-carbon sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Vietnam?
However, a concerning trend is noticeable in the overall electricity consumption figures. Electricity consumption per person in 2025 has seen a significant decline from the previous year, dropping to 2549 kWh, down by nearly 500 kWh from its peak in 2024. This reduction is mirrored in the low-carbon electricity domain too, with generation per person falling to 1168 kWh from 1336 kWh in 2024. These declines hint at stagnation or potentially declining development efforts in greener electricity generation, a worrying sign given the global emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and the country’s growth aspirations.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity output, Vietnam can draw inspiration from countries and states with successful clean energy solutions. In particular, regions like Nevada and California have made impressive strides with solar power, generating over 30% of their electricity with solar in Nevada. Denmark and several US states like Iowa and South Dakota have shown that wind energy can contribute impressive shares, exceeding 50% of electricity generation. Furthermore, Vietnam should consider adopting nuclear power, as seen in precedents from France and Slovakia, where nuclear contributes over 60% of electricity and provides a stable, low-carbon base load. By learning from these regions, Vietnam can strategically expand its solar, wind, and nuclear infrastructure to secure a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
History
Historically, Vietnam's pursuit of low-carbon electricity has been marked primarily by the development of hydropower, particularly notable in the 2010s. The most significant expansion occurred between 2011 and 2017, with consistent increases each year. However, the late 2010s witnessed setbacks, with declines in 2018 and 2019. Around the same time, solar power began to take off, with a significant boost in 2020 and 2021, hinting at a shift to diversify clean energy types. However, 2025 saw declines in both hydro and solar output. The start of wind energy in 2022 introduces a new chapter of green energy diversification in Vietnam. While the path has not always been straightforward, these developments emphasize the importance of growing and maintaining investment in diverse low-carbon electricity sources to ensure resilience and sustainability in Vietnam's future energy landscape.
