Thai grocer Central to use rooftop solar, EVs in Vietnam

Nation is No. 2 solar panel maker but struggles as FDI drives factory thirst for energy

20241018 Central retail supermarketIMG_0858.jpg

Central is adding solar panels, electric forklifts, and electric vehicle charging to its supermarkets in Vietnam. (Photo from Central Retail Vietnam FB)

LIEN HOANG, Nikkei staff writer

October 18, 2024 17:26 JST

HO CHI MINH CITY -- Thailand's Central Group is adding solar panels, electric forklifts, and electric vehicle charging to supermarkets in Vietnam.

The retailer has inked a deal with Tona Syntegra Solar (TSS), which also will procure electric trucks and energy storage, in southern Dong Nai province. Central is one of the biggest mall and market operators in Vietnam, which is the world's No. 2 source of panels but struggles to avoid blackouts amid an onrush of manufacturers.