Mr. Pham Nam Phong, a young engineer, chose to commit and successfully establish a business in the field of solar power more than a decade ago, when solar power was still nascent in Vietnam, lacking both technology and market.
Mr. Pham Nam Phong started with three degrees in Automotive Engineering, Quality Management, and Business Administration and Marketing, along with a stable job.
Despite holding three degrees in Automotive Engineering, Quality Management, and Business Administration and Marketing, Mr. Pham Nam Phong chose to venture into a startup with innovative products.
Mr. Pham Nam Phong shared that, having worked in four major European and American corporations, he gained access to a wealth of information regarding renewable energy development, particularly solar power development. Recognizing its immense potential for the future, especially in Vietnam, he was determined to delve deeply into related techniques, equipment systems, installation methods, and operation.
“At the time, disseminating knowledge about solar power was a tough and time-consuming task. Society largely perceived solar power as an installation solely for off-grid regions like islands and remote rural areas, viewing it as an industry with limited future prospects due to its constrained market. However, in Europe, solar power development was already extending to metropolitan areas and integrated into urban electricity grids,” Mr. Pham Nam Phong recalled.
Vu Phong Solar Power Joint Stock Company (Vu Phong Solar) was established in 2009. This period marked the initial phase of the Vu Phong Energy Group solar power journey, with a significant opportunity to expand the brand emerging through a contract to build fourteen 510W solar power systems (totaling over 7kW) for the ranger station in Bu Gia Map National Park. The company also manufactured essential SolarV-branded equipment, including controllers, DC-AC power adapters, and small solar generators, which were then sold by dealers nationwide to areas lacking electricity.
Rooftop solar power system with a capacity of 1,453 kWp installed on the factory roof of Lac Long Company (Can Giuoc, Long An)
Due to the absence of a comprehensive policy framework for solar power development, the surplus energy generated by projects had to be wasted for many years as it could not be fed into the grid. Furthermore, the cost of energy storage at the time was prohibitively expensive, posing significant challenges of solar power in Vietnam.
In the initial years of operation, the solar power market in Vietnam was so limited that Mr. Pham Nam Phong even considered diversifying into producing solar-powered suitcases for travel, phone, and laptop charging, actively seeking new niche markets to sustain product sales.
“In 2014, we seized the opportunity to install a solar power system for a German partner – an electricity expert based in Vung Tau. This marked Vietnam’s first grid-connected solar power project, effectively opening up the construction field for businesses in this nascent sector,” stated Mr. Pham Nam Phong.
The promulgation of Decisions 11/2017 and 13/2020, which actively encouraged solar power development, sparked a rapid installation boom across Vietnam. By the end of 2020, the nation’s total installed solar power capacity had soared to approximately 19,400 MWp, encompassing hundreds of thousands of major and minor grid-connected solar projects.
Consequently, Vu Phong Solar experienced rapid growth over the past three years. The Vu Phong Solar brand emerged prominently in 2019 as the first Vietnamese private firm to build and commission the largest-scale solar power plant in Southeast Asia – the BIM 2 project, with a capacity of 250 MW – alongside a series of other significant projects like Dau Tieng, Hong Phong, and Mui Ne.
By 2021, Vu Phong Solar was rebranded as Vu Phong Energy Group, reflecting its strategic vision to build a comprehensive renewable energy ecosystem that integrates several new business areas.
Vu Phong Energy Group successfully handed over a solar power system with a capacity of 2,900 kWp on the rooftop of Golden Victory Vietnam Co., Ltd.’s shoe factory in Nghia Hung, Nam Dinh, where Vu Phong Energy Group served as the EPC general contractor. Furthermore, a 1,453 kWp rooftop solar power system project, installed and operated by Vu Phong Energy Group on the roof of Lac Long Company’s factory in Can Giuoc, Long An, received prestigious recognition in Vietnam at The Asian Power Awards 2021, winning in two categories: “Solar Power Project of the Year” and “Environmental Improvement Project of the Year.”
BIM2 Project – Ninh Thuan 250MWp
“We proudly operate Vu Phong Tech, a subsidiary specializing in researching and developing equipment for the operation and maintenance of solar power systems, including robots, thermal scanning drones, big data management systems, and solar farm lawn mowing solutions. These robots are deployed across all of Vu Phong Tech‘s projects, representing truly ‘Made in Vietnam‘ technology designed entirely by Vietnamese engineers,” highlighted Mr. Pham Nam Phong.
Vu Phong Tech, a subsidiary of Vu Phong Energy Group, also achieved a significant milestone by being issued an Investment Registration Certificate by the Board of Management of Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP). This approval enables the construction of the “Vu Phong Tech Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturing and Research Center,” where Vu Phong Tech will focus on studying and developing robotic products, advanced monitoring and data collection equipment, and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enhance solar power development and O&M.
Vu Phong Energy Group is not only rapidly expanding its footprint in solar energy but is also actively working to grow its presence in the wind power industry. This strategic expansion aims to further contribute to the development of a cleaner industry and support Vietnam’s governmental commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Last December 2021, Construction Joint Stock Company 47 (HOSE: C47), Vu Phong Energy Group, and STEAG Energy Services GmbH (Germany) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly provide consulting services for the development and implementation of wind power projects in Vietnam.
According to Mr. Pham Nam Phong, offshore wind power development is intimately linked to the nation’s maritime and island security, functioning much like security radars across its waters. He emphasized that the operation and maintenance of these crucial facilities must be carried out by Vietnamese citizens, and Vietnamese businesses must elevate their capabilities to meet international standards.
“Vu Phong Tech is actively engaged in technology transfer and wind power operational training with a German partner, preparing for the complexities of offshore wind power operations. We are committed to training our workforce and establishing international standard procedures, making this another ‘Make in Vietnam‘ success story in the burgeoning wind power sector,” Mr. Pham Nam Phong concluded.
Source: Bnews.vn
