Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) carried out Practitioner-level invitational training of Vietnam's energy efficiency in July 2025 as part of the 'Promoting Energy Efficiency Investment Market in Industrial Sector and Supporting the National Green Growth Action Plan(GGAP) of Vietnam' in partnership with Korea Energy Agency(KEA) and the Korea Research Institute on Climate Change(KRIC).
A total of 17 trainees from the government agencies, industrial sector, financial sector and energy efficiency consulting firms participated to promote Vietnamese energy efficiency market. The program was specifically designed for capacity building in the application of energy saving technologies, feasibility assessment of energy efficiency investments and the evaluation capacity of financial institutions. To support the training, 11 experts from Korean companies with advanced digital technologies and from institutions with strong capabilities in investment economic analysis and implementation planning participated as lecturers.
Over the ten-day program, trainees attended courses on Korea's energy efficiency technologies and energy saving solutions, ESCO system operation and investment projects evaluation procedures. Field visits included LS Electric’s Cheonan plant, Sungshin Cement and LG Electronics, where participants observed the direct application of the energy saving technologies, enhancing both technical confidence and applicability. In particular, the program focused on energy-saving solutions that can be applied immediately in industrial site, such as inverters, ORC waste heat recovery, HVAC control systems, and chiller systems, contributing to enhance the trainees' practical capabilities capacity.
The program also offered financial courses for ESCO model, credit evaluation processes and financial products such as green bonds and green loans. Based on this, the financial sector trainees designed investment assessment roadmaps and financial products through the workshops. Trainees from industrial and consulting firms also developed and presented energy efficiency action plans tailored to the specific characteristics of their respective workplaces. Expert feedback enhanced the feasibility of these plans.
Many trainees analyzed applicable energy efficiency solutions (inverters, waste heat recovery, heat pumps, HVAC, etc.) themselves and expressed their willingness to invest after the training. Some companies expressed interest to expand cooperation with Korean solution providers, demonstrating the potential for future technology adoption in Vietnam.
KDS will continue to work closely with KOICA, relevant Vietnamese government agencies and enterprises to contribute to promoting the energy efficiency sector as a partner in Vietnam’s green growth.
