Lao Dong Newspaper reporter talked with Mr. Le Dai Dien - former Deputy Director of Nuclear Training Center, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute - about the opportunities and challenges of the project for the energy sector and the economy.
Sir, what breakthrough opportunities will the restart of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project bring to the Vietnamese energy industry in particular and promote economic growth in general?
- With the goal of Net Zero by 2050 and double-digit economic growth in the coming years, restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is very necessary and urgent.
The Ninh Thuan nuclear power project has been restarted, providing a stable source of energy with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions. The project will increase the diversity of energy sources for the electricity industry in particular and Vietnam's energy sector in general.
If we successfully implement and build and produce commercial nuclear power as scheduled by the Steering Committee led by the Prime Minister in the second meeting, it will be a testament to the development of the country's economy. The economy has a stable energy supply, capable of meeting the needs of the industrial sectors that we expect to develop such as the semiconductor industry, AI and the digital economy in general.
To implement the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, what plans and preparations do we need, sir?
- Immediately after the National Assembly approved the policy of restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, with the close direction of the Government, we had a Joint Steering Committee headed by the Prime Minister. The project investors have been identified, and Ninh Thuan province has also had activities to kick off the project. The Steering Committee has asked the project investors to negotiate with partners.
To successfully implement this important project, we need to prepare well the following issues:
Complete the legal basis (Amended Atomic Energy Law) and nuclear regulatory infrastructure, ensuring that project implementation is not slowed down due to lack of regulations and safety requirements.
Identify the economic, technical, technological and safety requirements for the selected reactor technology type to implement the project most effectively with partners. The same type of reactor technology, possibly by different partners, for different plants is very important. Early identification of the areas, groups of technological issues that we need to acquire, master and move towards localization.
The Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is the first project we have implemented, a national project as the Prime Minister has said. Therefore, public acceptance is extremely important. There needs to be specific activities for this work, I would like to emphasize the following two points: The most important residential areas to know are Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces and the subjects to pay attention to are students, university students and young people.
Prepare resources to meet project needs, such as on-site labor (skilled workers, technicians, engineers, etc.) and materials and equipment.
What challenges will the restart of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project face, sir?
- We have no experience with a project that is highly technological and influenced by international relations. This poses risks in planning, project implementation progress, and additional costs.
Restarting both Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant 1 and Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant 2 at the same time will also lead to difficulties in using resources, especially scientific, technological resources and international cooperation.
To overcome difficulties and challenges, project investors need to correctly assess the risks they may encounter, and coordinate best with the main partner (usually the nuclear reactor supplier) and other partners during the project implementation process. Support from the government, other economic and technical sectors, especially Ninh Thuan province, is extremely necessary. The Nuclear Power Plant Construction Steering Committee is the main pillar, not only directing but also helping project investors to remove difficulties and obstacles during the implementation process.
Thank you!
