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​ 

August 4, 2017
The pace of Thailand’s infrastructure development has continued to grow in the past few years, bringing numerous opportunities for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms based overseas that are looking for ways to participate in a project in Thailand. However, potential investors will need to have a solid understanding of the country’s legal and regulatory framework prior to investing significant time, energy, and capital.
Read More
June 30, 2017
On June 17, 2017, the Petroleum Act (No. 7) B.E. 2560 and the Petroleum Income Tax Act (No. 7) B.E. 2560 were both enacted, amending their predecessor laws. The amendments to both statutes entered into force on June 23, 2017. The amendments had been anticipated for some time, introducing production sharing agreements (PSAs) and service contracts as alternative host government instruments by which upstream oil and gas producers may invest in Thailand.
Read More
May 5, 2017
As part of its membership in Lex Mundi, Tilleke & Gibbins has published an updated edition of its Guide to Doing Business in Thailand for 2019.This guide offers a broad introduction to all of the key factors for starting and operating a business in the Thai market. Issues covered include:
Read More
April 28, 2017
As the costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels decrease, new business opportunities are emerging. In addition to the traditional model of independent power producers establishing large-scale power generating facilities to sell electricity directly to public utilities, a new dynamic model of direct electricity selling is beginning to take shape.
Read More