On April 22, 2023, the scientific article titled “An Investment in an Oversea Wind Power Project – NSEC’s Experiences for Vietnam,” co-authored by Mr. Le Minh Nhut, LL.M., a legal counsel at Lawrel LLC Law Firm, was officially published and uploaded to the global electronic publishing system by Springer Nature Singapore.
Legal Context and Offshore Wind Development Policy in Vietnam
Following the commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 at COP26, Vietnam is gradually implementing a sustainable energy transition roadmap. In this plan, offshore wind power is considered a key renewable energy source, playing a vital role in fulfilling this climate commitment.
Scientific assessments indicate that Vietnam possesses immense potential for offshore wind power, particularly in the coastal regions of the Central and Southern parts of the country. However, the current legal corridor for investing in and developing offshore wind power projects still has many shortcomings and lacks synchronization. This not only creates difficulties for domestic and foreign investors but also slows down the process of effectively harnessing Vietnam’s rich offshore wind resources.
Scientific Research and Contributions of Mr. Le Minh Nhut, LL.M.
In the spirit of applied research connected to policy practice, Mr. Le Minh Nhut and his co-authors conducted the study “An Investment in an Oversea Wind Power Project – NSEC’s Experiences for Vietnam.” The article focuses on the legal system and practical implementation of offshore wind power projects in the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) – an alliance of Northern European coastal nations widely regarded as a successful global model for the exploitation and management of offshore wind power.
The article provides an in-depth analysis of the legal regulations, investment processes, licensing mechanisms, environmental controls, and legal risk management for offshore wind power projects within the NSEC. Based on this analysis, the authors offer insightful recommendations for Vietnam, including:
- Developing a complete and synchronized legal framework, covering everything from marine spatial planning, project bidding, and licensing to operation, dispute resolution, and environmental monitoring.
- Establishing an inter-sectoral coordination mechanism among state management agencies to ensure consistency and transparency in investment licensing.
- Proposing the application of a one-stop-shop mechanism to simplify administrative procedures and shorten licensing times.
- Developing specific regulations on marine environmental impact assessments (EIA) and the legal responsibilities of investors in protecting marine ecosystems.
- Recommending a risk-sharing mechanism between the state and investors to promote large-scale offshore wind power projects.
Legal Significance and Reference Value
The publication of this article by Springer Nature Singapore is not only an academic achievement but also a recognition of the practical contributions of Vietnamese legal experts to an issue of strategic economic, energy, and environmental importance. The article also serves as a valuable reference for legislative bodies, policymakers, industry associations, and the business community interested in the field of renewable energy investment in Vietnam.
Full Reference:
Readers can access the full text of the article at: Springer Link – An Investment in an Oversea Wind Power Project – NSEC’s Experiences for Vietnam