From 300 MW to over 10.000 MW – a turning point in the BESS market
Revised Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) will be officially announced in 2023 by Ministry of Industry and Commerce Vietnam, has made a series of important adjustments to the development of power sources and energy storage infrastructure. In particular, target of developing battery energy storage system (BESS) is the highlight: from 300 MW in the initial draft up more than 10.000 MW by 2030.
This is not just a change in numbers but also reflects strategic shift: Vietnam is preparing for a power system with a high proportion of renewable energy and a greater need for grid stability than ever before.
BESS target change in revised PDP8
1. Old target of 300 MW: not enough for growth demand
In the previous PDP8 draft, BESS is only targeted at about 300 MW by 2030 – a figure suitable for the testing phase but not yet meeting the requirement of integrating tens of GW of renewable energy.
2. New target >10.000 MW: huge scale
The revised PDP8 raises the target to more than 10.000 MW of energy storage by 2030. This figure is equivalent to the capacity of many large thermal power plants combined, signaling a potential containerized BESS market.
Reasons for the sharp increase in BESS capacity
High proportion of renewable energy
- Solar and wind power have exceeded 20 GW of installed capacity by the end of 2022【Source: EVN 2023】.
- This power source fluctuates with the weather, requiring a BESS for stability.
Reduce curtailment
- According to EVN, many renewable energy plants in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan had to reduce generation due to grid overload [Not verified - no specific data available].
- BESS allows surplus power storage and peak discharge.
Towards Net-Zero 2050
- BESS helps reduce dependence on peaker plants running on oil/gas, reducing emissions.
Minimum 10% capacity BESS integration required – solid opportunity
According to the PDP8 revision, new concentrated solar power projects must integrate a storage system with a minimum capacity of 10% of capacity for 2 hours
This creates a predictable market demand: For example, a 100 MW solar project will require at least 10 MW BESS/2 hours. BESS container manufacturers and investors can rely on this regulation for long-term planning.
Impact on BESS businesses and investors
1. Huge market size
- 10.000 MW BESS by 2030 is equivalent to billions of USD in investment in equipment, construction and operation.
- Opening up opportunities for BESS container manufacturers in Vietnam to replace imports.
2. Need for international standards
- Businesses must meet UL9540/UL9540A, IEC62933, NFPA855, CSC container to be accepted in foreign-invested or export projects.
3. Opportunities for ancillary services and competitive electricity markets
- BESS can provide frequency regulation and capacity reserve services for EVN (ancillary services).
- BESS can participate in the competitive electricity market, selling electricity during peak hours.
4. BESS rental model
Businesses can invest in BESS to lease back to new solar power projects, helping to reduce initial costs for investors.
Required technical standards & certifications
| Standard | Write comment here... | Role |
| UL9540/UL9540A | BESS system safety evaluation & thermal runaway propagation test | Proving product safety for the US market |
| IEC62933 | International standard for electrical energy storage systems | Technical standards for EU/Asia exports |
| NFPA 855 | Regulations for installing fixed BESS systems | Support for fire prevention and operational safety |
| CSC | Container Safety Convention | Conditions for BESS containers to be transported internationally |
International Case Study
Australia (Hornsdale Power Reserve):
- The world's largest containerized BESS system has saved ~$150 million grid cost after 3 years of operation.Demonstrating that BESS is not only an “electricity storage” but also an important economic tool.
The shift from 300 MW to over 10.000 MW BESS in the revised Power Plan 8 is a clear signal of a new market for businesses and investors. With the mandatory regulation of integrating 10% BESS for new solar power projects, the demand has shifted from “potential” to “foreseeable reality”.
Vietnamese enterprises, especially BESS container manufacturers, are facing a historic opportunity to improve their production capacity, meet international standards and participate more deeply in the clean energy value chain. However, to seize this opportunity, they need to invest in technology, international certification and flexible business models such as ancillary services or BESS leasing.
