On the afternoon of November 27, at the 8th Session, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh presented a report on continuing the investment policy for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project.
According to the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, nuclear power is currently receiving increasing attention from many countries and continues to develop. By the end of August 2024, there were 415 nuclear power reactors in operation worldwide, with a total installed capacity of 373,735 MWe, and 62 reactors under construction with a total capacity of about 64,971 MWe.
In addition to the 32 countries that own and operate nuclear power plants, 20 other countries are considering developing them to meet energy needs and realize climate commitments.
Meanwhile, Vietnam's electricity demand is forecast to continue to increase. Developing nuclear power in Vietnam brings many benefits such as diversifying electricity supply sources, ensuring energy security, and fulfilling the dual task of providing electricity and protecting the environment.
In addition, the average cost of electricity production of nuclear power can compete with other traditional sources. Contributing to the development of high-quality human resources, enhancing the national science and technology potential, and participating in the nuclear power industry supply chain.
In 2009, implementing the Resolution of the National Assembly, the Government assigned Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) as the investor of the projects and cooperated with Russia (Ninh Thuan 1 project) and Japan (Ninh Thuan 2 project) to carry out investment preparation work.
The selected locations have been carefully surveyed and evaluated by domestic and foreign consultants. They are the two best locations, meeting strict international criteria, suitable for building a nuclear power plant in Vietnam.
Using previously researched locations to develop and build nuclear power plants in the future is very convenient, saving time and costs in research, survey, and site selection.
Thus, restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is necessary, well-founded, meets practical requirements and has 4 specific goals:
Firstly, providing base power source, contributing significantly to the electricity production structure, diversifying primary energy, ensuring energy security, stabilizing the power system, meeting the requirements of socio-economic development.
Second, build and put nuclear power plants into safe and efficient operation, minimizing environmental risks; build a synchronous infrastructure for a long-term program on nuclear power development, gradually increasing the proportion of nuclear power to a reasonable level in the total national electricity output.
Third, implement measures to ensure security for nuclear facilities; improve state management agencies and the system of legal documents on security control, nuclear safety and radiation safety; perfect the legal framework for nuclear power development; build a culture of nuclear safety and widely disseminate it in society.
Fourth, build a science and technology development program and develop human resources to meet the stages of nuclear power development.
Examining this content, Chairman of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy proposed that the Government direct research to propose a nuclear power development program in Vietnam associated with the task of strengthening the country's scientific and technological potential, gradually mastering nuclear power technology.
Research and propose appropriate management models for nuclear power; review and perfect laws related to nuclear power.
Focus on training human resources, especially leading experts, in conjunction with the overall program for developing applications of atomic energy and nuclear power. Improve domestic capacity and localize nuclear power equipment.
