DEVELOPING A DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAIN FOR VIET NAM’S WIND POWER INDUSTRY

From existing industrial capabilities to greater participation in the offshore wind value chain

Wind power development involves far more than constructing and operating wind farms. Behind every project is a complex value chain that spans site surveys, engineering design, equipment manufacturing, transportation, installation, operations, and maintenance.

As Viet Nam prepares to implement larger-scale wind power projects under the revised National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII), strengthening the domestic supply chain is becoming increasingly important to support project execution while expanding the role of Vietnamese enterprises within the wind power industry.

1. Wind Power Development Goes Beyond Electricity Generation

According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Viet Nam has the potential to become one of the five largest offshore wind markets in the Asia-Pacific region during the 2031–2035 period.

To date, the country has commissioned approximately 6 GW of wind power capacity, primarily from onshore and nearshore projects, supplying electricity to millions of households. Compared with the estimated 600 GW of offshore wind technical potential identified by international studies, the current level of development remains relatively modest.

This highlights that the value of the wind power industry extends beyond electricity generation. As more projects move forward, demand for manufacturing, engineering services, and supporting industries is expected to grow, creating opportunities for Vietnamese companies to participate more actively in the regional offshore wind value chain.

2. Vietnam’s Existing Industrial Foundation

One of Viet Nam’s key advantages in developing the offshore wind industry is that it does not need to build its supply chain entirely from scratch. Instead, it can build on the capabilities developed across existing heavy industries.

Vietnamese companies have accumulated decades of experience in shipbuilding and offshore oil and gas engineering, particularly in designing, fabricating, and launching large offshore structures capable of operating under demanding marine conditions. These technical capabilities provide a strong foundation for supporting the offshore wind sector.

Leveraging existing expertise in mechanical engineering, specialized welding, and a skilled engineering workforce, domestic companies have the potential to manufacture complex components such as wind turbine towers, jacket foundations, and offshore substations that meet international technical standards.

This foundation can help shorten the time required to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities compared with establishing an entirely new supply chain.

3. Building a Comprehensive Wind Power Supply Chain

An offshore wind project involves much more than turbine installation. Successful project delivery requires close coordination across multiple industries throughout the project lifecycle.

Key components of the supply chain include:

• Manufacturing and fabrication: Production of wind turbine towers, fixed or floating foundations, steel structures, and supporting components.
• Port infrastructure and offshore construction: Development of port facilities, storage yards, heavy-lift equipment, and installation assets required for offshore construction.
• Project support services: Site surveys, customs clearance, equipment transportation, logistics coordination, and project schedule management among participating stakeholders.

As turbine sizes continue to increase, effective coordination across these supply chain activities will play an increasingly important role in supporting project schedules and minimizing implementation risks.

4. Opportunities for Vietnamese Enterprises

Although Viet Nam has not yet commissioned a commercial offshore wind project, preparations for future developments are already underway.

According to publicly available information, marine site survey rights have been approved for 10 offshore wind projects with a combined capacity of more than 10 GW. These activities represent an important step before projects move into subsequent development phases.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also indicated that, with coordinated progress in policy, technology, and supply chain development, the local content ratio of offshore wind projects in Viet Nam could reach 40–50% in the future. Attracting international wind turbine manufacturers to invest in Viet Nam, combined with technology transfer and workforce development, will provide greater opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to participate more extensively in the wind power value chain.

5. Outlook

The development of wind power in Viet Nam is not only intended to expand renewable electricity generation but also to support the growth of domestic supporting industries and strengthen the capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises.

Preparing these capabilities early will help Vietnamese companies meet the technical requirements of future projects while creating more opportunities to collaborate with international investors and equipment manufacturers as the market continues to develop. In doing so, domestic enterprises can gradually expand their role in the regional offshore wind value chain.

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