Creating an initial legal foundation to promote the development of nuclear energy
According to Mr. Le Dai Dien - former Deputy Director of the Nuclear Training Center, Vietnam Institute of Atomic Energy - the 2008 nuclear Energy Law has had a great impact in creating an initial legal foundation to promote the development of nuclear energy. However, after a long period of implementation, we have also clearly seen some shortcomings arising from many causes, mainly because the original law was not compatible with some newly issued laws; the international treaties to which Vietnam is a member had not been fully legalized; the new requirements and standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency had not been updated. This poses an urgent need for comprehensive amendments and supplements.
"The law should specify the technical standards for design, construction, operation, maintenance and inspection of atomic power plants, ensuring in accordance with the international standards of IAEA and related organizations. It is necessary to clearly identify the rights and responsibilities of state management agencies, investors, and measures to check and accept. To be clearly included, there are mandatory measures and clear liability for stakeholders.
Currently, central agencies, ministries and relevant branches have collected public opinions on the draft Law on Atomic Energy (amended) to build a legal basis to ensure the completeness and comprehensiveness of the system of legal documents on nuclear energy.
On the local side, during the implementation of the nuclear power project, Ninh Thuan province has promptly reported to central agencies for consideration, resolution and adjustment of mechanisms and policies in accordance with reality.
The province has reported and recommended that the Central Steering Committee, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and investors (Vietnam Electricity Group, Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group) promptly report to the Prime Minister to consider adjusting the investment policy for the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant projects to ensure a legal basis for implementing and completing site clearance in 2025.
Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang - Vice Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee - cited that the locality is facing difficulties in adjusting resettlement planning, compensation policies and economic and technical norms.
Ninh Thuan province also proposed that the National Assembly consider adjusting Resolution 41/2009/QH12 and propose that the Government separate the compensation and resettlement support project into an independent project to proactively implement, arrange capital in a timely manner, clarify issues of boundaries, biosphere and national defense land.
Mr. Tran Quoc Nam - Chairman of Ninh Thuan province - added that the implementation of the Nuclear Power Project still has a number of important tasks compared to the above plan.
That is the work of adjusting the planning of resettlement areas; issuing economic and technical norms within the scope of land management in Ninh Thuan province to have a legal basis for implementing land acquisition, compensation, resettlement, and site clearance according to regulations. Many cases have not been implemented yet due to their involvement in the reorganization of the two-level government.
Accelerate site clearance, prepare to restart nuclear power projects
Currently, Ninh Thuan province is implementing specific steps, focusing on site clearance and resettlement to soon restart this energy super project. The province also continues to implement activities with the goal of becoming a national renewable energy and clean energy center, associated with the VIII Power Plan, and calling for investment in offshore wind power projects.
Mr. Tran Quoc Nam - Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee - said that site clearance is being accelerated at two projects, Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant (Thuan Nam District) and Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant (Ninh Hai District).
At Ninh Thuan 1 project, the adjusted reclaimed area is 485.54ha, affecting about 600 households. The inventory work in the 64.85ha resettlement area is being completed, striving to be completed in May 2025. The 409.53ha factory area alone has accounted for more than 21% of the area.
The Ninh Thuan 2 project has a total reclaimed area of 643.6 hectares, affecting about 553 households. Ninh Hai district has completed the inventory of 45 hectares of resettlement for 202 households and 85 graves, while achieving 83% of the inventory plan in the factory area.
To facilitate the project implementation, Ninh Thuan province has proposed that the Central Steering Committee allow the separation of compensation, support and resettlement work into component projects, independently and assign the Provincial People's Committee to implement, and at the same time propose that the Central Government soon allocate VND 3,200 billion for this work.
Ninh Thuan also coordinates with ministries, branches and UNESCO to solve environmental issues in the Nui Chua Biosphere Reserve and clarify the site clearance boundary according to regulations.
