On December 31, 2024, the University of Danang issued Decision No. 5495/QD-DHDN, "Commitment to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 and orientation to 2045," with the following main contents:

1. Objectives and Scope of the Commitment

1. To achieve carbon neutrality in electricity consumption (Scope 2) by 2030 through the following actions:

• Installation of at least 2.24 MWp of rooftop solar power by December 31, 2030, generating approximately 3.4 GWh per year under Da Nang/Kon Tum conditions;
• Ensuring that solar power generation in 2030 accounts for a minimum of 36% of total electricity consumption, applying an energy accumulation mechanism for the period 2031–2045, in alignment with the national roadmap to reduce fossil-fuel-based electricity generation from 44% in 2030 to 17% in 2045, as defined in Power Plan VIII.

2. Associated targets:

• Reduce electricity intensity (kWh/m² floor area/year) by 10–15% by 2030, compared with the 2024 baseline;
• Promote green transportation: By 2030, ensure that at least 25% of vehicles are electric or hybrid (EV/HEV), and by 2045, achieve 100% electric, hydrogen, or renewable-fuel-powered vehicles.

2. Principles, Methodology, and Key Indicators

1. Principle:
   Apply the mechanism stipulated in Power Development Plan VIII, under which the annual surplus of rooftop solar generation (exceeding the annual neutrality requirement) shall be recorded, accumulated, and applied to offset potential shortfalls, thereby achieving carbon neutrality in electricity consumption by 2030.
2. Projected allocation of rooftop solar capacity by 2030 (kWp):

• UD-University of Science and Technology: approximately 538 kWp
• UD-University of Economics: approximately 303 kWp
• UD-University of Science and Education: approximately 234 kWp
• UD-University of Foreign Language Studies: approximately 214 kWp
• UD-Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology: approximately 327 kWp;
• UD-University of Technology and Education: approximately 343 kWp
• UD-School of Medicine and Pharmacy: approximately 51 kWp
• UD-Campus in Kon Tum: approximately 37 kWp
• UD-Administrative Headquarters: approximately 86–90 kWp
• UD-Vietnam–UK Institute for Research and Executive Education: approximately 105–110 kWp

3. Implementation Roadmap

1. 2025: Complete surveys, design, and grid-connection agreements; install at least 20% of the target capacity; deploy centralized SCADA monitoring, operation and maintenance (O&M) and fire safety systems.
2. 2026–2027: Achieve at least 60% of the target capacity; prioritize rooftops with optimal solar exposure and optimize DC/AC ratio.
3. 2028–2029: Achieve 90–100% of the target; add solar carports; complete acceptance testing and performance evaluation.
4. 2030: a total capacity of at least 2.24 MWp; and officially declare the achievement of carbon neutrality in electricity consumption through the accumulation mechanism.
5. 2031–2045: Maintain system capacity; monitor annual balance sheets; consider system upgrades or repowering as needed.

4. Governance, Measurement, and Transparency

1. Establish the UD Energy Transition & Climate Board, chaired by a Vice President, with each member university appointing an Energy Coordinator.
2. Operate SCADA systems and publish quarterly data: PV output, PV-to-consumption ratio, and CO₂e reduction.
3. Develop a public dashboard to support evidence for THE Impact Rankings.

Article 6. Resources and Financial Mechanism

1. Mobilize diverse funding sources: university budget, green finance, climate funds, and external sponsorships.
2. The total capital requirement for 2.24 MWp is estimated at approximately VND 30 billion (excluding structural reinforcement costs). UD-Department of Planning and Finance shall take the lead in allocation and financial planning.

5. Implementation Responsibilities

1. The Energy Transition & Climate Board shall coordinate, supervise, and report; develop cumulative energy balance sheets; and propose adjustments when necessary.
2. UD’s member universities shall implement assigned targets on schedule, ensure fire safety, and provide regular data.
3. UD-Department of Properties Management and Investment shall conduct technical verification, grid connection, and O&M oversight.
4. UD- Department of Planning and Finance shall formulate funding support policies, manage procurement, contracts, and financing.
5. UD-Department of Student Affairs, Centre of Learning Resource and Communication shall organize awareness and communication activities among students and staff.

APPENDIX (Issued with Decision No. 5495/QD-DHDN)

I. Electricity Consumption of UD’s Member Universities in 2024 (kWh)

II. Rooftop Solar Power Generation at UD–University of Science and Technology (55.6 kWp)

III. Approach to developing the Carbon Neutrality Plan for the University of Danang

1. Foundations for Formulating the Carbon Neutrality Commitment

a) Vietnam’s Net Zero commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

b) National policy on energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables.

c) National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII), which specifies that renewable energy sources are expected to account for approximately 28–36% by 2030 and 74–75% by 2050.

By 2030, 50% of public buildings and 50% of households are targeted to use self-generated, self-consumed rooftop solar energy (serving on-site consumption only, without selling electricity to the national grid).

d) Energy transition in the transportation sector: At present, Vietnam is using E5 biofuel, and starting from January 1, 2026, E10 gasoline will be officially introduced nationwide.

đ) Vietnam’s roadmap for energy transition in transportation: By 2040, the country will cease registration and production of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles; by 2050, all vehicles will operate on electricity or renewable fuels.

2. Principles for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Electricity Consumption

a) Utilize rooftop solar power to replace the portion of electricity consumed by the University of Danang (UD) that is generated by the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) from coal and gas sources—in accordance with Power Development Plan VIII, under which fossil-based electricity accounts for 44% in 2030 and 17% in 2045.

For example, if UD’s total electricity consumption in 2030 is X kWh, and rooftop solar generation reaches X × 44%, UD will achieve carbon neutrality in electricity consumption.

b) When the installed rooftop solar capacity exceeds the proportion of electricity generated by EVN from coal and gas, the carbon neutrality milestone for UD may be achieved earlier, calculated based on the accumulated surplus solar energy production.

c) Target: Achieve carbon neutrality in electricity consumption by 2030, following the principles outlined above.

3. Principles for Developing the Carbon Neutrality Roadmap for Transportation Used by UD Staff, Cadres, and Students

a) Develop an annual procurement reduction strategy and promote the use of public transportation among all UD staff, cadres, and students.

b) Facilitate technology transfer and research on clean energy and technological solutions that contribute to reducing fossil fuel consumption.

c) Enhance green spaces within the campuses of UD’s member universities and at the UD Administrative headquarters.

d) Ensure that 80% of vehicles used by UD staff, cadres, and students operate on biofuel, in alignment with the national roadmap.

đ) By 2030, at least 25% of vehicles used by UD staff, cadres, and students shall be electric or hybrid vehicles (EV/HEV).

e) Goal: By 2045, all vehicles used by UD staff, cadres, and students will operate on electricity, hydrogen, or renewable fuels, five years ahead of the national transition roadmap.

4. Developing the Carbon Neutrality Roadmap

a) Calculate the rooftop solar capacity required to be installed at each member unit of the University of Danang to ensure carbon neutrality by 2030. According to Power Development Plan VIII, the share of electricity generated from coal and gas will steadily decrease; by 2045, fossil-fuel generation will account for only 17%. If rooftop solar reaches 44% in 2030, then in subsequent years the surplus solar generation will exceed the annual requirement for neutrality because fossil-based generation declines. Assuming a linear reduction in the fossil-fuel share from 44% in 2030 to 17% in 2045, the cumulative surplus solar output from 2030 to 2045 can be used to offset electricity consumption prior to 2030, thereby bringing the effective date of neutrality forward to before 2030. Consequently, the rooftop solar capacity required to achieve neutrality by 2030 may be lower than the naïvely calculated value. Based on this principle, recalculate the rooftop solar capacities for UD’s member units to ensure carbon neutrality in 2030 and revise the Commitment document accordingly.

b) Develop a deployment plan for solar PV installations from the present through 2045, following the accumulation and optimization principles described above.

The full text of Decision 5495/QD-DHDN is available here.