On the first day of April, a landmark partnership was forged in Hanoi, Vietnam, as China Power Engineering Consulting Group — a key subsidiary of Chinese energy heavyweight China Energy Engineering — signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnam Electricity, kicking off what both sides describe as a new chapter in bilateral energy collaboration.

The deal will see the Chinese energy giant and Vietnam's state-owned electricity provider join forces across a broad front — from ultrahigh-voltage transmission lines and next-generation renewables to nuclear power and green hydrogen.

Dang Hoang An, party secretary and chairman of Vietnam Electricity, said the deal aligns with the nation's visions for how Vietnam can leap forward in clean energy, grid modernization and international cooperation.

Luo Bixiong, Party secretary and chairman of China Power Engineering Consulting Group, said: "The agreement marks a new chapter in energy collaboration between the two companies and the two countries. It sets the stage for deep, wide-ranging cooperation across some of the most dynamic areas in the energy world."

Vietnam is now finalizing a supplement guideline for its national power master plan, a blueprint that places renewables and low-carbon technologies at the center of the country's long-term energy strategy.

Among its priorities is the construction of Vietnam's first phase of nuclear capacity, an ambition that has drawn interest from economies such as South Korea, Japan, Russia and France.

However, with China's proven strength in large-scale infrastructure and energy technology, China Energy Engineering is now seen as a frontrunner to help turn that nuclear vision into reality, industry experts said.

Song Hailiang, Party secretary and chairman of China Energy Engineering, told China Daily that the company is planning for a bigger role in global energy transition and infrastructure development through its latest efforts in expanding green hydrogen and artificial intelligence.

"As the scale of renewable energy continues to grow, building a secure, systematic, efficient and intelligent new energy system has become a global challenge. The company will bet big on renewable energy supply, consumption, infrastructure planning, technology and policy mechanism to address these issues," he said.

According to Song, the company has signed domestic energy agreements worth over 110 billion yuan ($15.3 billion), alongside international deals totaling $11.8 billion. Its global footprint now spans projects in Egypt, Morocco, Central Asia and Vietnam.

Looking ahead, Song said the company will accelerate its international operations, expanding renewable energy projects and infrastructure investments across markets involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

China Energy Engineering, which operates in over 140 countries and regions, said its overseas renewable energy contracts now account for nearly half of its total signed agreements.

Song said the company remains committed to high-quality energy cooperation under the BRI, bringing Chinese technology, equipment and expertise to global markets.

chengyu@chinadaily.com.cn