Green Power – Bringing a Green Mark to the Community

DNHN - Renewable energy and semiconductors are the current and future trends. Vietnam and Global Power JSC (Green Power) is on a journey to conquer the market.

Ni Ko La, the CEO of Green Power, believes that adopting renewable energy to offset electricity shortages and meet the stringent COP 26 requirements in the coming years is a vital task for the company.

In His 30s, Through Ups and Downs
Ni Ko La – the CEO of Green Power – is unique not only in name but also in heritage. Born in Lam Dong, he carries a blend of Japanese, Kinh, and Churu ancestry and is proud to be Vietnamese. Unlike his peers, Ni Ko La was trained and worked from a young age, becoming skilled in farming and self-learning, thanks to his strict grandfather. This upbringing became a profound part of his journey into life, something for which he is always grateful.

After graduating in mechanical engineering, Ni Ko La initially found success in trading mechanical supplies, such as bearings. He purchased supplies from Tan Hoa Loi Company and redistributed them to merchants across various provinces. Later, he ventured into real estate, buying and selling townhouses in Ho Chi Minh City, accumulating a considerable amount of capital as a broker. However, these jobs did not bring him joy, he confided.

Reflecting on his experiences, Ni Ko La shared how he returned to the construction industry, working as a supervising engineer for the Saigon Centre Phase 2 & 3 project, but he still felt unfulfilled. Eventually, he paused to travel around Vietnam, setting foot in all 63 provinces and islands of the country. Quang Tri, a land of poverty, was the first place he wanted to explore and left a lasting memory in him. He felt a deep connection to this land, home to the 17th parallel and the Truong Son Martyrs’ Cemetery. Having been passionate about history, the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the stories of entrepreneurs worldwide since childhood, Ni Ko La has an extensive knowledge of history and a feeling of belonging here.

In 2015, he met Mr. Duong Tien Dung, whom he regarded as both a mentor and a second father, working in the electric vehicle field in Quang Tri. Captivated by Mr. Dung’s passion and talent, Ni Ko La decided to join him in establishing an electric vehicle assembly project. Although his time there was brief, only one year, he gained significant knowledge in business, project management, and operations from his mentor. The sudden passing of Mr. Dung, however, left him feeling lost and disheartened, struggling to continue without guidance. After some time, unable to sustain the company, he let go of everything and returned to Saigon.

The Birth of Green Power
Starting again, Ni Ko La chose renewable energy as his focus. He said optimistically, “If I fail 20 times, I’ll still get up and start over.” This statement isn’t just empty words; his ambition and fervor are evident in his eyes. Entering the renewable energy market was initially challenging, but thanks to his valuable year in Quang Tri, he knew how to manage a company, set up projects, secure loans, and run a business. With a deep understanding of the solar energy industry and a commitment to customer service, Green Power grew rapidly, securing partnerships with major clients like Hanoi Electric Company, First Solar Vietnam, Seraphim, and CMEC Group.

A major milestone in Green Power’s journey was becoming the first company to install solar power on Phu Quoc island, with a nearly 3MW project at the Phuoc Loc Tho Shopping Mall, as well as numerous solar projects in Ninh Thuan, Phan Thiet – Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong. Green Power has established a firm position in the market.

Supporting Green Development Alongside Credit Institutions and Vietnamese Manufacturers
After eight years of growth, Green Power’s role has expanded beyond trade development to becoming an investor, working with industrial companies and manufacturers to generate green energy and protect the environment. “We’re partnering with investment funds and banks to reduce financial burdens for companies investing in rooftop solar power. We’re crafting policies to broaden access to these benefits, helping businesses achieve greener and more sustainable development,” the CEO of Green Power stated.

For businesses that lack capital to invest in solar energy, Green Power offers financial support. These businesses only pay for electricity at a rate competitive with the Vietnam Electricity price, while benefiting from low maintenance fees, increased carbon credits for export, and reliable power during peak hours.

Conquering the Semiconductor Industry
Ni Ko La’s next ambition is to enter the semiconductor sector. He expressed a fervent desire to invest in this field, driven by the government’s policy and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s emphasis on developing skilled workers for the semiconductor industry as a “breakthrough of breakthroughs” in high-quality workforce training. With growing demand, semiconductors are at the heart of the electronics industry. From 2001 to 2021, the global semiconductor industry grew by 14% annually, reaching nearly $600 billion in revenue. By 2023, this industry is projected to continue robust growth, potentially reaching $1 trillion by 2030.

With this goal, Ni Ko La, a man of Japanese-Vietnamese heritage, is eager to contribute to his homeland, aspiring to be a true Vietnamese entrepreneur.

Written by: Thu Hien