An Overview on Geothermal Potential Assessment and Geothermal Development in Vietnam

Abstract

There were several projects studying and assessing the geothermal potential in Vietnam until now. The results of these study projects show that the geothermal potential in Vietnam is not so big. According to the preliminary assessment, it is possible to exploit 680 MWe from development of highest potential geothermal prospects. Along with the geothermal development in the world, geothermal in Vietnam is also more well known by the government and the people nowadays, not only about hydro-geothermal but also about ground source heat pump as well as Enhanced Geothermal System. Not only the geothermal energy potential in Vietnam is not so big through studies, but it is also not developed significantly. Currently there is no geothermal power plant in Vietnam but the first geothermal project for power generation was licensed and is at the exploration stage now. The geothermal utilizations until now is only for bathing, swimming pool, spa, therapy, tourism, and aquaculture. For a geothermal heat pump, only one experimental project has been installed since 2016 and its energy efficiency is about 45%. According to the survey on the barriers for geothermal development conducted in 2018, the results show that the biggest barriers are the very high initial investment and high risky for the geothermal development.