The Nuclear Option: Reviving the Ninh Thuan Project – A Triple Optimized Solution

We appreciate the initiative to restart the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project and continue researching the Nuclear Power Program in Vietnam as part of the country’s energy infrastructure development. Energy expert Ha Dang Son shared his thoughts on this matter: “I believe Ninh Thuan remains an excellent choice. Considering the restart of the nuclear power project and the adoption of large-scale technology and high-capacity reactors, the location in Ninh Thuan was carefully selected during the preparation phase. Therefore, it is unnecessary and inefficient to reconsider this decision, as it would result in additional costs and delays, affecting the overall progress.”

He further elaborated on the potential challenges of choosing a new location, stating that it might not offer better options regarding site management, land use, and other factors. Mr. Son also mentioned that, to his knowledge, the land earmarked for the nuclear power project is still viable for its intended purpose.

Sharing a similar perspective, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Energy Association, Nguyen Thai Son, emphasized the importance of revisiting the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project to maximize efficiency and avoid wastefulness, especially in terms of time and money. He stated:

“By doing so, we can save a significant amount of time, approximately 4-5 years, which would otherwise be spent on site selection, technology research, and future development. This aligns with the recent directive from the General Secretary to work efficiently and avoid wastefulness. Utilizing past studies and research can be highly beneficial, and we should embrace this approach to conserve time, human resources, and financial resources.” – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Energy Association, Nguyen Thai Son.

Le Dai Dien, former Deputy Director of the Nuclear Training Center at the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, acknowledged the advantages of nuclear power as a clean and stable energy source with long-term benefits in terms of electricity costs and emissions reduction. However, he pointed out that small modular reactors tend to have higher electricity costs compared to larger-scale technologies ranging from 800-1200MW. Therefore, he suggested re-evaluating the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project to learn from past experiences, avoid scattered investments, and prevent the waste of resources, including the substantial investment in human capital.

“Nuclear power plants can provide highly reliable carbon-free energy, operating 24/7, regardless of weather conditions, and can run for up to 2 years without refueling. Developing nuclear power, like any other endeavor, has its opportune moments and requires choosing the right technology in terms of safety and economics. It is also crucial to select strategic partners. Additionally, as we have already invested time and resources in the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, we should assess, study, and reconsider our past work to avoid wasteful spending and make the most of our investments. We should build on our successes and learn from our mistakes.” – Le Dai Dien shared his insights.

Recently, the Energy Journal’s Scientific Council (under the Vietnam Energy Association) provided analyses indicating that after a thorough site evaluation process from 2010 to 2014 by Vietnamese experts and partners, which incurred significant costs, the government identified two locations, Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2, as the most suitable for constructing nuclear power plants. These assessments remain valid and unchanged to this day.

Given Vietnam’s current situation, it is essential to consider nuclear power as a future energy source to meet the country’s electricity demands, especially in the context of the 8th Power Plan. The government should also develop concrete plans for Phuoc Dinh (Ninh Thuan 1) and Vinh Hai (Ninh Thuan 2) in Ninh Thuan for future nuclear power development.

Ensuring a stable electricity supply is a critical and pressing task, and it is essential to prioritize baseload power sources such as hydropower with multi-year regulating reservoirs, thermal power, and nuclear power. A review of the remaining sites (6 out of the 8 initially planned locations) and the formulation of reasonable policies for the next planning phase are necessary, considering the overall energy development strategy.

According to the Energy Journal’s Scientific Council (under the Vietnam Energy Association), retaining the 8 sites included in the approved planning by the Prime Minister (Decision No. 906/QD-TTg dated June 17, 2010) aligns with international practices. Countries with nuclear power development programs have legal documents allowing investors to retain nuclear power plant construction sites for up to 20 years. Only after this period can the sites be considered for alternative purposes.