On February 4, at the Government Headquarters, Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Steering Committee for the construction of nuclear power plants, chaired the second meeting of the Steering Committee.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that developing nuclear power and building nuclear power plants is a major issue, a national issue, a difficult and sensitive issue, so it requires focus, investment of effort and intelligence, and the mobilization of the entire political system.
Regarding specific mechanisms and policies (such as on land, resettlement, livelihoods for people, total land use area, contractor appointment, shortening time, etc.), the Prime Minister requested all ministries and branches to propose any mechanism or policy that can be implemented fastest and most conveniently before February 15.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is the standing agency of the Steering Committee and must synthesize and report to the Government to propose to competent authorities and submit to the National Assembly at the 9th session.
Regarding progress, the Prime Minister stated that the project completion time must be shortened compared to the previous plan, by December 31, 2031 at the latest and strive to complete before December 31, 2030 on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the country and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party.
Ministries, branches, localities and agencies must build a progress critical path according to this goal.
The Prime Minister assigned EVN to be the investor of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project, and Petrovietnam to be the investor of the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant project.
Regarding the selection of foreign partners to participate in the project, the Prime Minister requested EVN, Petrovietnam and other agencies to send a working delegation to negotiate with foreign partners in February, paying attention to having backup partners to be ready in all situations.
Determining the scale, capacity, and total investment of factories is determined based on negotiations with partners and updated in accordance with the new situation, from which competent authorities will consider and decide.
Regarding human resources, the Prime Minister requested to urgently review and gather people who have been trained in the field of nuclear power and related fields, provide additional training and have mechanisms and policies to attract human resources, in which it is necessary to pay attention to the commander-in-chief and chief engineer of the project.
The Prime Minister directed the allocation of capital for the project, including the use of reserve capital for 2025, and immediately completed procedures to use this capital before February 15.
The Head of Government also emphasized that the most important thing in selecting contractors, whether by appointment or bidding, is to work transparently, for the common good, ensuring publicity, transparency, and preventing corruption and negativity.
The Ministry of Finance allocates sufficient budget to complete the relocation and stabilize the people’s housing and livelihoods by 2025, ensuring that the new housing is better than the old one. At the same time, Ninh Thuan province urgently calls for public-private partnership, attracting investment… to exploit Thanh Son airport for civil purposes.
The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to urgently submit the draft of the adjusted Power Plan VIII related to nuclear power, to be completed before February 28, 2025.
The Prime Minister noted that planning work must look at the overall national interests, ensuring fairness, social progress, and appropriate balance between localities and regions, but with priority given to arranging key energy projects in difficult areas.
The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
