Struggle to quit dirty energy

Light energy: The growing solar power boom does not appear to be a suitable replacement for coal in Vietnam’s manufacturing powerhouse. — AFP

DESPITE the country’s solar boom and ambitious climate targets, the fast-growing economy is struggling to quit dirty energy – leaving one of the world’s biggest coal power programmes largely intact.

During the COP26 climate summit last year, the government boldly promised to end the construction of new coal plants and phase out the dirtiest, even as energy demands soar in the manufacturing powerhouse.