Meet the Team: Dat Dang, Renewable Energy Engineer | OWC Vietnam
At OWC, our teams are constantly expanding into more locations, in expertise, and in sectors of influence. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we invite you to get to know our team members so you can meet the energy behind change.
This week, we invited Dat Dang, Renewable Energy Engineer in OWC’s Vietnam team, to unveil his role as a renewable energy engineer, working across solar and offshore renewable projects, with a strong focus on technical studies and market development in Southeast Asia.
- Position: Renewable Energy Engineer
- Office: OWC Vietnam
- Hobbies: Reading detective novel, playing soccer
Give us a glimpse into your day-to-day life at OWC. What keeps you on your toes?
My day-to-day life at OWC is quite dynamic. I work across multidisciplinary renewable energy teams, including the metocean, supporting desktop studies, survey data monitoring, and survey strategy development. I also work with the floating PV team (FPV), where I’m involved in desktop studies, mooring design and due diligence activities.
Alongside this, I also contribute to Vietnam-focused offshore wind projects, particularly around supply chain studies, port assessments, and policy-related work.
What drew you to the renewable energy industry and what keeps you passionate about it?
I was drawn to the renewable energy industry by my personal experience growing up in central Vietnam, where the impacts of climate change were a constant part of life. Extreme weather events, prolonged flooding, and power outages after storms were common, and I clearly remember seeing my hometown left in darkness, and many homes damaged or lost. Those experiences sparked my desire to be part of solutions rather than just witness the consequences.
Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?
Aside from confidential project works, I also participate in local public report projects.
Offshore wind (OSW) is still relatively new in Vietnam. Through some public reports, I have contributed to on the OSW supply chain, port study, policy, etc. I aim to help industry stakeholders better understand offshore wind as well as the key local potential and challenges. This work is especially meaningful at a time when Vietnam’s offshore wind projects are beginning to gain momentum, early insights can make a tangible difference.
With Vietnam emerging as an important player in floating PV – what should the market be looking out for to ensure continued large-scale development?
- Stable and transparent policy framework: FIT mechanisms dedicated to floating PV, the next phase requires long-term regulatory clarity. Investors will be looking for transparent auction schemes, bankable PPAs, and consistent permitting processes to unlock utility-scale capital at lower cost.
- Site selection and environmental management: Vietnam’s advantage lies in its extensive hydropower reservoirs, but careful site screening is essential. Issues such as water level variation, sedimentation, and ecological impacts must be well understood and managed to ensure long term operational performance and public acceptance.
- Bankable technical standards: As projects scale up, the market will need clearer standards around floating PV design, anchoring systems, durability, and O&M practices – particularly under Vietnam’s tropical climate conditions. This will help reduce technical risk and increase lender confidence.
- Local supply chain and O&M capability: Developing local manufacturing, installation, and O&M expertise will be key to controlling costs and supporting faster deployment. Lessons learned from early projects should be translated into local know-how that strengthens project execution and long-term asset performance.
Beyond the work, what makes you tick outside of the office?
Beyond work, I enjoy reading detective novels, learning Chinese. Also, I value staying physically active, whether it’s through running, cycling, or simply getting outdoors to recharge.
De-risking FPV projects in Vietnam from early development to operations
Advancing FPV projects requires integrated technical and strategic support, particularly in emerging markets like Southeast Asia. Our team combines engineering expertise with regional Vietnam insight to drive smarter decisions and accelerate project development.