Prime Minister: Dismantling renewable energy projects, criminal prosecution is the last resort

Resolve problems with the spirit of choosing the optimal solution, minimizing disputes, complaints, and impacts on the investment environment. Criminal handling is the last resort.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh - Photo: VGP

On the afternoon of December 12, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an online conference to announce and implement the Government's resolution on policies and directions to remove obstacles and difficulties for renewable energy projects.

Emphasizing the handling principle, the Prime Minister said that the project's dismantling must be proactively resolved within the authority, and if it exceeds the authority, it must be reported to the competent authority. Violations must be separated and handled, without legalizing violations, but there must be solutions, mechanisms and policies to resolve them.

Do not waste resources but also do not legitimize violations

The handling of projects to avoid wasting resources, increase power sources to serve socio-economic development. Therefore, on the basis of the issued resolution, it will be implemented immediately, urgently, synchronously and effectively to promote projects, contributing to socio-economic development.

Solving problems with the spirit of choosing the optimal solution, minimizing disputes, complaints, and impacts on the investment environment. Criminal handling is the last resort to create conditions to resolve problems for projects.

If the current law changes, does not cause consequences, and does not involve corruption, then no criminal proceedings will be taken. Resolving difficulties is also considered legal when approved by competent authorities. This does not create new violations, does not cause negativity and bad consequences in the handling process, especially when mistakes are compounded.

With the proposed solutions, the Prime Minister clearly stated that the authority of each level must be resolved openly and transparently, without beating around the bush or pushing it to a higher level. The goal is to try to resolve the issue before January 31, 2025.

For projects that have been prosecuted, violations will only be handled and remedied after a verdict has come into effect according to the provisions of law. Handling of problems must be public and transparent; handling problems for the purpose of corruption and group interests is strictly prohibited.

Carefully review each case to resolve

"It is strictly forbidden to lobby, be negative, be corrupt and then have to deal with it, losing people, losing money, losing time, losing trust, losing opportunities. If anyone is lobbying, the authorities will handle it strictly," the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to preside over a thorough review of difficulties and problems of renewable energy power projects, propose competent authorities to handle each problem; urgently review, research, and propose adjustments to Power Plan 8, implementation plans, and mineral planning...

For investors, actively and proactively remedy all violations and shortcomings pointed out by competent authorities; be responsible for seriously and fully implementing the investment, construction and operation procedures of the project in accordance with legal regulations, and coordinate with relevant agencies to resolve problems...

Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) focuses on reviewing and correcting the shortcomings and violations mentioned in the Government Inspectorate's conclusions or decisions of competent authorities. Violations need to be classified and the content of handling agreed upon, reporting issues beyond authority; facilitating projects to complete electricity purchase and sale procedures.

Scale up to 13 billion USD

According to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, the implementation of the renewable energy development policy is a new solution, without precedent, lacking experience, and the legal system is not yet complete, so the implementation process has still resulted in a number of violations that have been concluded by the Government Inspectorate.

Therefore, the ministry has proposed six solutions and directions to remove and handle difficulties for projects such as allowing additional planning, projects with procedural violations that must be corrected, and planning adjustments...

According to statistics, the scale of projects with preliminary investment is up to 308,409 billion VND, equivalent to about 13 billion USD, accounting for nearly 13% of the capacity and about 6.06% of the electricity output of the entire power system.

Therefore, delay in putting projects into operation not only causes waste, but can also cause the risk of collapse, insolvency, inability to repay bank loans, leading to bankruptcy, affecting the investment and business environment.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-tuong-thao-go-du-an-nang-luong-tai-tao-xu-ly-hinh-su-la-bien-phap-cuoi-cung-20241212191549852.htm