For minimizing net emission to zero by 2050, Vietnam needs to study nuclear power at the next stage of energy development, said the Economic Committee.
Ninh Thuan province’s nuclear power project has been suspended by the decision in the National Assembly Resolution No. 31, in 2016. The Economic Committee of the National Assembly judged that nuclear power is recognized by the countries as clean electricity, a very low greenhouse gas emission after COP 26 in the monitoring report on the implementation of this resolution. Vietnam’s development of nuclear power in the next phase is considered to contribute to ensuring energy security, developing an independent and self-reliant economy and ensuring the security of the power system with diverse needs of generation sources.
However, it is necessary to make the complete, scientific and accurate assess on the current situation and forecast of energy supply and demand for the development of this energy.
“The Party’s policy is very required to calculate the nuclear power plan and study to restart the project in Ninh Thuan province in an appropriate time,” commented the Economic Committee.

In order that this process can be ready, the National Assembly’s verifying agency proposes the Government to temporarily keep the planning for the proposed construction locations of Ninh Thuan and nuclear power plants 1 and 2 until an official decision is given. The selection of a plant construction site to put into the planning is a long, expensive and statutory process.
On the other hand, Ninh Thuan province’s nuclear power project has just been suspended. If it is canceled, it will affect the relations with the partner countries, the nuclear power developing capacity in the future.
The Government explains that the nuclear power project is suspended to focus on other key projects. There is no policy to develop this type of energy again. Recently, the proposal to restart nuclear power has been raised by the experts and scientists at many energy forums. They say that if nuclear power is developed after 2030, it will be possible to realize the “net zero” goal by 2050 as committed by the Prime Minister at COP26.
Tran Chi Thanh, the Director of the Institute of Atomic Energy, said at the energy forum in April that the return to nuclear power development in Vietnam “must start soon”. The previous planning of nuclear power development in Ninh Thuan province should not be abandoned, because “we have invested a lot of fund here, and no any location is preferred for development of nuclear power”.
According to the monitoring report, before Ninh Thuan province nuclear power project was suspended, there were 7 component projects invested by Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) and Ninh Thuan Province People’s Committee, with the fund of over VND 2,300 billion. Nearly 450 students and engineers were trained in nuclear power technology by Russian and Japanese partners…
There have been a few shortcomings in the project planning area after 5 years as of the nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan province was suspended.
For example, the people in the area of the previously planned nuclear power plant have not yet stabilized production because the project has not been approved. This makes them difficult in terms of land rights. They could not buy, sell, transfer, nor mortgage land use rights for loans… This wastes the land resources in the area.
In addition, dealing with commitments and agreements with foreign partners is still difficult. There are potential risks in the cooperation relationship if Vietnam does not clearly define the nuclear power development plan as well as harmoniously handle the interests of the parties. Some tax and cost problems of Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) related to the implementation of Ninh Thuan province’s nuclear power project have not been resolved…
Therefore, the Economic Committee suggested the Government should soon apply a satisfactory and timely solution to reorganize production, stabilize life, benefit for the people in the affected project area whether the developing nuclear power project is going on or not. For the fund of implementing the project, the Government may consider arranging the remaining unallocated central funds in the medium-term public investment plan of 2021-2025 or the 2021 central budget revenue increasing source, then they will submit the plan to the Standing Committee for consideration.
This agency also suggested that the Government continue to implement the construction project of a nuclear science and technology research center; set up the plan to foster and update the specialized knowledge for human resources who have been trained in nuclear power. The Government should study and perfect the legal framework in the field of atomic energy, including the Law on Atomic Energy…
Source : VnExpress