Rapid growth needed for energy ecosystem

From workforce training to development of modular reactors, Vietnam is stepping up preparations to build the energy ecosystem needed to support its next wave of tech-driven growth.

- By Hara Nguyen

At last week's Vietnam-US Innovation Forum on Advanced Energy for Strategic Technology Industries, policymakers, tech companies, universities and energy experts shared the view that advanced energy infrastructure will play a decisive role in determining Vietnam's ability to attract and sustain additional high-tech investment.

Participants at the event, held at the National Innovation Centre (NIC) in Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, noted that industries such as AI, semiconductor manufacturing, and hyper-scale data centres require continuous, high-reliability power that meets increasingly stringent technical and environmental standards.

Against this backdrop, advanced nuclear technologies, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) and integrated energy systems, are drawing growing attention as potential long-term solutions.

James Voss, EXCEL Services Corporation's vice president, told the forum that the company is studying next-generation energy solutions designed to support the uninterrupted operation of strategic technology industries.

"We are looking at highly reliable energy systems, including small modular reactors and integrated energy platforms, that can provide continuous power for advanced industries," Voss said. "Vietnam has significant potential to become a strategic partner in deploying these technologies in ways that fit the country's actual development conditions."