Under increasing pressure from the green standards of export markets, many enterprises in Dong Nai City are accelerating investment in rooftop solar power systems to reduce production costs, cut emissions, and enhance their competitiveness.

Rooftop solar power systems in an industrial park in Dong Nai.

 

This is also an energy source that Dong Nai encourages to promote green growth and the development of eco-industrial parks (EIPs).

A Multi-Benefit Solution

With 44 operational industrial parks (IPs) and nearly 2,800 active investment projects, Dong Nai is one of the localities with the highest industrial electricity demand in Vietnam. In recent years, electricity supply has generally been stable; however, system overloads and localized power shortages have occurred in certain areas during peak periods.

To increase on-site clean energy generation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, implement ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, and promote a green economy, the city has encouraged enterprises and industrial parks to develop renewable energy, particularly self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power systems. This direction is consistent with Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW dated June 8, 2026, issued by the Politburo on the development of the foreign-invested sector, which aims for approximately 10% of industrial parks nationwide to be developed or converted into eco-industrial parks by 2030. It also aligns with Plan No. 76/KH-UBND dated February 9, 2026, issued by the People's Committee of Dong Nai Province (now Dong Nai City), which targets at least two certified eco-industrial parks by 2030; a minimum of 10% of enterprises in industrial parks applying resource-efficient and cleaner production solutions; and 90% of industrial parks adopting energy-saving and energy-efficient measures.

According to the city's development plan through 2030, Dong Nai will have 89 industrial parks and dozens of industrial clusters. At present, 44 industrial parks and numerous industrial clusters are already operating with high occupancy rates, providing excellent conditions for developing rooftop solar power for manufacturing.

Mr. Pham Viet Phuong, Acting Deputy Head of the Management Board of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Nai City, said that the city has clearly defined a roadmap for transforming existing industrial parks into green and eco-industrial parks by 2030, with a vision toward 2050. This is an important step toward achieving Vietnam's net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Rooftop solar power offers numerous benefits for businesses. First and foremost are the economic advantages, as it significantly reduces electricity costs and helps enterprises improve product price competitiveness. Moreover, the use of clean energy supports compliance with sustainability requirements, carbon footprint traceability, and environmental standards imposed by many export markets. From environmental and social perspectives, renewable energy helps reduce CO₂ emissions, improve workplace conditions, and accelerate the energy transition. It also lays the foundation for greener manufacturing and the gradual development of eco-industrial parks in Dong Nai.

At Saitex International Dong Nai Co., Ltd. (Amata Industrial Park), investment in rooftop solar power is regarded as part of the company's sustainable development strategy, aiming to utilize renewable energy while meeting ESG criteria and global supply chain requirements. The company has installed a rooftop solar system with a total capacity of more than 3,000 kWp, reducing electricity consumption by 35%. In addition to lowering electricity costs and increasing energy independence, the system is estimated to reduce nearly 2,700 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of approximately 125,000 trees.

Regarding industrial park infrastructure investment, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy General Director of KN Holdings Group, said the company is currently completing investment procedures for two rooftop solar projects with a combined capacity of more than 1,100 MWp to directly supply electricity to three industrial parks: Long Duc 3, Bau Can–Tan Hiep (Phase 1), and Xuan Que–Song Nhan (Phase 1). Once operational, these projects will contribute to energy security, enhance the attractiveness of the industrial parks to secondary investors, and satisfy growing demand for clean energy.

Promoting Green Manufacturing

Beyond the benefits to individual enterprises, rooftop solar power is considered one of the key solutions for accelerating the green transformation of Dong Nai's industrial sector.

Speaking at a seminar held in Dong Nai City in late June 2026, Mr. Dinh Van Ton, M.Sc., from the Hydropower and Renewable Energy Division under the Electricity Authority of Vietnam (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated that the government has introduced numerous policies encouraging rooftop solar development, particularly self-generation and self-consumption models in industrial parks, government agencies, schools, and households. At the same time, investment procedures have become simpler, more transparent, and more convenient, enabling enterprises to proactively invest in clean electricity for production.

According to many businesses, the use of clean energy in manufacturing is becoming a mandatory requirement for export products. Rooftop solar power represents one of Dong Nai's competitive advantages thanks to the vast factory rooftop space available in large industrial parks, abundant annual sunshine hours, and favorable solar radiation conditions.

Mr. Bui Quang Duy, Global Associate Director for Climate Finance – Financial Institutions at responsAbility Global Asset Management, commented that Vietnam is one of Asia's most dynamic economies, with growth driven by manufacturing, exports, and services. However, industrialization has also significantly increased energy demand, making the transition to low-emission power sources essential for achieving green growth.

According to Mr. Duy, alongside renewable energy development, enterprises should modernize factories, improve supply chain efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and promote a circular economy to strengthen long-term competitiveness.

Sharing a similar view, Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thao, National Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vietnam, stated that Dong Nai is one of the localities with a clear vision for green industrial development, carbon emission reduction, and improving the quality of economic growth. She added that, with its strong industrial foundation, city development plans, and Plan No. 76/KH-UBND, Dong Nai possesses favorable conditions to accelerate the transformation of industrial parks toward greener, more efficient, and more sustainable models. The province's experience and achievements could serve as a valuable reference model for many other localities developing eco-industrial parks.

As more enterprises invest in rooftop solar systems for on-site production, the competitiveness of Vietnamese products will continue to improve, the development of eco-industrial parks will be accelerated, and Dong Nai's vision of green industrial development will move closer to reality. At the same time, pressure on the national power grid and overall energy security will also be reduced.

   

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Source: Báo Đồng Nai