Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan provides information on the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project – Photo: VGP
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Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said that on November 30, the National Assembly passed a resolution with the policy of continuing to implement the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, along with studying nuclear power development programs.
Regarding the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has conducted studies, reviews, and reported to the Government and relevant authorities. With the agreement in principle from the Central Committee and the recent approval from the National Assembly, the question now is how we should organize and execute the project. The Government has assigned relevant ministries and branches, with the Ministry of Industry and Trade taking the lead, to study and report back to the Government. There are several important contents:
First, we must perfect the legal system. “It is a relief that the recent National Assembly session passed the amended Law on Electricity, which includes content related to nuclear power development. In addition, this week, the Government approved a proposal to amend the Law on Atomic Energy, which will be reported to the National Assembly. This provides a basis for fundamental issues related to technology, safety, and security in nuclear power development. With this framework, we now have sufficient legal grounds to proceed,” expressed Mr. Tan.
Along with this, there are other relevant legal systems related to investment, construction, safety, and environmental protection. All these legal grounds are sufficient for us to implement the project.
Second, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has advised the Government and the Prime Minister to establish a Steering Committee for the construction of the nuclear power plant and a working group to restart Vietnam’s nuclear power program. The Steering Committee is expected to be headed by the Prime Minister, with a Deputy Prime Minister as Vice Chairman. In addition, there will be members comprising relevant ministers. The working group will operate under the direction of the Steering Committee and is expected to include representatives from relevant ministries and branches, especially experts and scientists in nuclear power development. The Minister of Industry and Trade will be the head of the working group. This is the mechanism for our implementation and execution.
Moreover, to proceed with the project, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will soon submit to the competent authorities for adjustment, amendment, and supplementation of the Power Development Master Plan VIII. This is a fundamental legal basis for concretizing the policy of the National Assembly and the Central Committee.
We will also propose to the competent authorities to select an investor for the implementation of the nuclear power plant project. The selection of the investor is very important as they will be the special entity in charge of the entire process, from research, proposal, construction to operation of the plant.
A basic but very important point related to the locality is that we have requested the leaders of Ninh Thuan province to soon create a clean land fund and build consensus among local people to facilitate the implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. This is the roadmap and the process of implementation.
Regarding advantages, we have basically achieved a high level of consensus, so there are many advantages. During the implementation process, this project has been considered and had a policy but was temporarily halted due to some objective reasons, and now it is being continued. Therefore, there has been a certain level of preparation, which is a great advantage.
Along with that, there are also some challenges. These include technology selection, safety assurance, and the possibility of accidents. Another challenge, which would be very reassuring if achieved, is the recommendations of international organizations and especially the advice of international atomic energy agencies. These are the universal standards.
We fully believe that we will be able to cautiously implement this project step by step. Currently, technology is very advanced, with many new technologies that ensure higher safety levels.
Regarding the determination of the total investment, it depends on many factors. At present, we tentatively estimate a preliminary figure of billions of dollars. However, it will depend on the scale, location, technology requirements, and safety requirements.
We have many benefits. But to sum up, there are 3 biggest benefits:
First, we create a basic, clean energy source that meets the current dual standard in the trend of developing green and renewable energy. Without a basic energy source to meet, serve and balance the power supply, it would be very risky. Therefore, the development of nuclear power, along with other green and clean energy sources, provides good conditions to ensure benefits related to energy security and meet the dual standard of being basic and green.
< proeminent third, it creates a driving force for us to have high technology and science, especially nuclear energy science. This is fundamental science, and in the future, it will develop, along with a high-quality workforce, to promote the country's development.
