Vietnam has restarted the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, which consists of two plants scheduled for completion within five years, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Nuclear Power today [February 4].

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the meeting today. Photo: Nhat Bac

The Ninh Thuan 1 plant will be situated in Phuoc Dinh Commune, Thuan Nam District, while Ninh Thuan 2 will be located in Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District.

The prime minister has appointed Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) as the investor for the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, while Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam or PVN) will be responsible for the Ninh Thuan 2 plant. He has instructed EVN and PVN to negotiate with foreign partners for the implementation of the project within February, ensuring that they have backup partners ready for any eventuality. Based on these negotiations, the investors will determine the scale, capacity, and total investment for the plants, which will then be reviewed and decided by the relevant authorities.

The Government estimates that around 2400 personnel will be needed for this nuclear power project. The Prime Minister has instructed all parties to screen and pool people who have been trained in nuclear energy. A plan must also be drawn up for additional training and recruitment, especially for key positions such as project officers, must also be established.

The selection of contractors and investors must be transparent and free from corruption or malpractice, as per the Prime Minister’s directive. Procedures for allocating funds to the project must be completed before February 15.

At the local level, Ninh Thuan has established a provincial steering committee to handle matters within its jurisdiction. The province has been urged to immediately begin land clearance and resettlement.

The Ministry of Finance has been tasked with allocating sufficient funds to complete the resettlement and ensure stable living conditions for affected residents this year, with the aim of providing them with better living conditions than before. Meanwhile, Ninh Thuan Province needs to accelerate public-private partnerships and attract investment to develop the civil use of Thanh Son Airport.

The legal framework for implementing the nuclear power project is essentially set, as the amended Electricity Law is expected to be approved by the National Assembly by the end of 2024. Other legal provisions related to investment, construction, safety, and environmental protection are in place to support the execution.

Perspective of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project in 2016. Source: baochinhphu.vn

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has been tasked with expediting procedural reviews and proposing mechanisms and policies for this energy investment. The Ministry of Education and Training must assess the training of the project's workforce, while the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for the environmental assessment.

Last year, Vietnam's total installed power capacity was around 85,000 megawatts. By 2030, the system’s capacity needs to reach about 150,000 megawatts, increasing to between 400,000 and 500,000 megawatts by 2050 under the PDP8.

Vietnam aims for economic growth above 8% this year and into double-digit growth in subsequent years, which will require annual electricity growth of around 12 to 14%. Developing nuclear power will help diversify energy sources, ensure energy security, and support economic growth while meeting the country's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

The prime minister stressed that the development of nuclear power plants is a major national issue that requires the full engagement of the political system. He acknowledged the complexity and sensitivity of the issue and called for dedicated efforts and intellectual investment.

The government leader has instructed the steering committee to develop a plan detailing personnel, timelines, responsibilities, and expected outcomes. This plan must outline specific milestones and assignments for ministries and local authorities to ensure adherence to the roadmap and efficiency in execution.

Chinh emphasized the importance of addressing obstacles directly, specifying who will be responsible for what issues, deadlines, and expected outcomes to avoid vague responses.