Vietnam’s Wind Power Tariffs Attractive, but Grid Capacity a Major Concern

Vietnam’s new feed-in tariffs are attracting great interest in wind power, but investors are concerned about grid connection and purchase agreements.

The new feed-in tariffs (FIT) are expected to be attractive to domestic and foreign investors, Tommaso Rovatti Studihard, South East Asia sales director for wind power developer Vestas Asia Pacific, told VnExpress International.

The government recently approved tariff revisions under Decision 39 on support mechanisms for the development of wind power.

U.S. slaps new fees on Chinese solar panels

The U.S. Commerce Department has imposed new import fees on solar panels made in China, finding that the Chinese government is improperly giving subsidies to manufacturers of the panels there.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday it has found on a preliminary basis that Chinese solar panel makers have received government subsidies of 2.9 percent to 4.73 percent. Therefore the department said tariffs in the same proportions will be charged on Chinese panels imported into the U.S., depending on which company makes them.

Chile considers bill to boost renewable energy

High costs of energy due to a severe drought that has severely impaired hydro power plants coupled with restrictions in the capacity of transmission systems has once again put renewable energy in the sight of authorities as a way to decrease reliance of hydro and coal-based electricity.

Also the campaign promise of President Piñera to reach a goal that 20 percent of the energy demand in Chile is supplied by renewable energy by 2020, provides the political backdrop required for new legislation.

Recently, the Chilean Senate approved a bill that would move to country toward more widespread adoption of non-conventional renewable energies.