Vietnam’s plans to use more natural gas and renewables could prove to be challenging as power projects are already delayed and the country will need billions of dollars from foreign investors to increase domestic production and build LNG infrastructure.

Vietnam has long had huge potential for gas-to-power projects, with growing energy demand, industrial activity and an energy grid that is heavily dependent on coal generation, said Vortexa Ltd.’s Felix Booth, head of liquefied natural gas. 

“LNG and natural gas will undoubtedly form a major part of the energy mix in Vietnam,” he told NGI. “Unfortunately, implementation of such projects in Vietnam comes with significant challenges for foreign investors.” 

Although the Group of Seven (G7) nations and other countries...