You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

October 13, 2020

Circular 21 Updates Procedures for Electricity Operating Licenses in Vietnam

Subscribe to Updates

On September 9, 2020, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) issued Circular No. 21/2020/TT-BCT on the order and procedures for issuance of electricity operating licenses (Circular 21). Circular 21 will take effect on October 26, 2020, replacing Circular No. 36/2018/TT-BCT as amended by Circular No. 15/2019/TT-BCT (together, Circular 36).

The primary purpose of Circular 21 is to promulgate updated forms and templates for the power generation sector, including templates for the electricity operating licenses themselves, requests for granting or amending such licenses, and reports on the status of various electricity activities. One new template is introduced, for the licensing authorities of provinces and municipalities to report on the granting of electricity operating licenses in their locality for the previous year.

Generally speaking, the changes introduced by Circular 21 are minor, and serve mainly to clarify aspects of Circular 36. One notable change is that the regulations on revocation of electricity operating licenses have been removed. Circular 21 also provides a more generous timeline for responding to a request to amend or supplement an application file. In particular, after an applicant receives a request from the licensing agency to amend its application file, it will have 60 business days to make such amendment, whereas such timeline under Circular 36 was not specified for applications submitted to the MOIT and Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) via the public online portal, and was only five business days for applications for which the licensing agency was the provincial people’s committee.

For more information on Circular 21, please contact us at [email protected].

Related Professionals

Industries

Energy

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

March 25, 2020
The Ministry of Energy has issued an order to delay the 23rd round of bidding for petroleum exploration and production, as reported on the official website of the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF). The 23rd round of bidding involved three exploration blocks in the Gulf of Thailand, and was previously expected to open in early April 2020, with the DMF set to return their final decision regarding concessions within the end of 2020. The delayed round of bidding would have reportedly been the first round in 13 years.
Read More
March 19, 2020
The effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on Southeast Asia are a deep concern shared by all with connections to the region. To encourage clear understanding of the facts on the ground, Tilleke & Gibbins has prepared this high-level snapshot of the legal situation as it currently stands in each of our jurisdictions.Administrative and Judicial Functions
Read More
March 17, 2020
On March 2, 2020, the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) issued Notification Re: the Determination of Exploration Blocks for the Bidding for Petroleum Exploration and Production Concessions B.E. 2563 (2020). This notification, which repeals Notification of the Department of Mineral Fuels Re: the Determination of Exploration Blocks for the Bidding for Petroleum Exploration and Production Concessions B.E. 2561 (2018), allocates the areas to be used as exploration blocks for the 23rd round of bidding for petroleum and exploration production concessions.
Read More
February 14, 2020
Joseph Tomkiewicz, partner and co-chair of Tilleke & Gibbins’ energy industry team, has contributed the Thailand chapter of the new Lex Mundi Global Climate Change Law Guide . Featuring contributions from Lex Mundi member firms from around the world, the guide responds to the rapid increase of interest in global climate change policies and related issues.
Read More