New Regulations for Offshore Wind Energy Investments in Vietnam

The Vietnamese government has recently issued Decree No. 272/2026, which outlines detailed regulations regarding offshore wind energy projects. This decree is part of the broader framework established by Resolution No. 253/2025, aimed at developing the national energy sector from 2026 to 2030. Notably, Decree 272 introduces several new provisions that significantly impact the surveying and investment processes for offshore wind projects.

One of the key changes is the requirement for survey companies to have a minimum equity of 1 billion VND (approximately $42,000) for each megawatt (MW) of offshore wind capacity they wish to survey. If a company proposes to survey multiple offshore wind projects, the equity requirement must correspond to the total MW of all proposed projects. This stipulation is intended to ensure that only financially capable entities engage in the surveying process, thereby reducing the incidence of companies registering for surveys without the necessary implementation capacity, according to Thanh Nien.

Furthermore, the decree mandates that companies involved in offshore wind investments must possess at least 20% of the total investment as equity. The remaining funds must be demonstrably sourced from credit institutions or other legal financing avenues. This requirement is particularly significant for foreign investors, who must also adhere to the stipulations outlined in Decree No. 58/2025, ensuring they contribute at least 15% of the project’s capital.

“These financial requirements will help filter out companies lacking genuine financial strength.”Analysts

Analysts suggest that these financial requirements will help filter out companies lacking genuine financial strength, thereby minimizing project delays and speculative registrations. Previously, there were no specific equity ratios mandated for investors, which often led to issues with project execution.

In addition to financial stipulations, Decree 272 also introduces a new mechanism for managing the costs associated with surveying and project documentation. For state-owned enterprises conducting surveys for investor selection tenders, all survey costs must be audited before reimbursement. The selected investor will then be responsible for repaying these costs based on their investment participation. This measure aims to enhance transparency in resource allocation and establish a legal framework for recovering incurred survey expenses.

Moreover, the decree outlines a comprehensive process for receiving and processing survey applications and investment approval requests for offshore wind projects. It clarifies the coordination mechanisms among various ministries and authorities involved in project evaluation and approval, addressing previous ambiguities that complicated the implementation of large-scale projects.