Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Advancing Da Nang’s Energy Transition

As Vietnam moves toward its 2050 net-zero emissions target, cities such as Da Nang play a crucial role in driving the country’s sustainable energy transition. A recent Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) study, conducted by The Center for Adaptive Capacity Building (CAB) with the support of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Asia, highlights key challenges and opportunities in advancing renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency in the city.

The study reveals that, while awareness of renewable energy is growing, significant knowledge gaps remain—particularly among households. Only 22 percent of surveyed residents were able to accurately define renewable energy, while 15 percent mistakenly classified coal and nuclear as sustainable and/or renewable energy sources. In contrast, businesses and local government agencies demonstrated higher awareness, but many still face regulatory uncertainties and financial barriers in transitioning to clean energy.

Strong support, limited action

Despite widespread public support for renewable energy, adoption remains low due to high upfront costs, limited financing options, and uncertainty around policies. Only 26 percent of surveyed households have considered installing solar panels, even though solar energy is widely viewed as a cost-effective and sustainable solution. Many businesses also expressed interest in investing in energy efficiency, but recent policy changes preventing the sale of surplus solar power to the grid have discouraged private investment in rooftop solar.

A business owner in Da Nang noted: "We want to shift to renewable energy, but the lack of clarity on incentives and grid regulations makes it difficult to plan long-term investments." Meanwhile, a local policymaker emphasized the challenge of implementation, stating: "We have strong national policies, but translating them into actionable local frameworks remains a work in progress.".

Closing the gap: key recommendations

To accelerate Da Nang’s energy transition, a more inclusive and coordinated approach is needed, including the following measures:

• Expanding public awareness campaigns to improve understanding of renewable energy benefits and government incentives.
• Capacity-building programmes for businesses and local authorities on financing mechanisms, regulatory compliance, and energy-efficiency strategies.
• Enhancing multi-stakeholder engagement through public-private partnerships, creating a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange between policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society.

Da Nang’s experience offers valuable lessons for cities across Asia seeking to balance economic growth, energy security, and climate commitments. Ensuring that the energy transition is both technologically feasible and socially inclusive requires stronger collaboration across sectors.

As FES Asia continues to support just and sustainable energy transitions, the findings from this study will inform future programmes aimed at bridging knowledge gaps, enhancing policy implementation, and fostering multi-stakeholder cooperation. A just energy transition is only possible when communities, businesses, and policymakers work together to create solutions that are accessible, inclusive, and forward-thinking.