According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the forecasted commercial electricity in Power Plan VIII is lower than the revised Power Plan VII about 15 billion kWh by 2030. The proportion of electricity demand will shift from the South to the North This is a new element of Power Planning VIII.

Power plan VIII will give priority to the exploitation of renewable energy sources. Natural gas resources are gradually being exhausted while the exploitation of new gas fields is still uncertain about the time of the first gas flow and is subject to many uncertain factors, so in order to ensure energy security, Vietnam will have to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) on a large scale to supply LNG gas power plants, along with it is necessary to develop gas infrastructure for power generation, such as warehouse system, port system.

In addition to imported gas sources, it is also necessary to promote the import of coal in large volumes to ensure fuel supply for coal-fired thermal power plants. In the period up to 2030, continue to strongly exploit renewable energy sources, especially offshore wind sources, biomass power sources and other renewable energy.

Regarding the power source development program, the selected power source development scenario meets the power supply security criteria well, satisfies international commitments to reduce environmental pollution in the power generation process at a low cost  power generation, harmonizing the interests of the state, investors and electricity users.

Renewable energy sources from solar and wind power are not highly stable

Some comments to Draft Power Planning VIII expressed concern about the content of wind power and solar power will thrive (in 2045, the proportion of renewable energy sources including large hydroelectricity reaches 53%). However, renewable energy sources from solar and wind power are not highly stable, depending on weather conditions. In addition, in the past period, wind and solar power have developed very fast, but there have been some shortcomings related to electricity prices, technical barriers, and connection to the national power system.