VietNamNet Bridge - Experts said they still cannot predict the cost of electricity production in the next 10 years, when Vietnam develops nuclear power, but said that nuclear power would not be the main source of electricity supply.

Doan The Vinh, an MOIT official, said at a recent workshop on the nuclear power development in Vietnam that Vietnam may have electricity from nuclear power plants in about 10 years.

However, he said he still could not say anything about the electricity price in the future, when the nuclear power era begins, because this would not only depend on the power generation structure, but also on many other factors, including the consumer price index and GDP.

The ministry believes that electricity in Vietnam is now cheaper than other regional countries because the selling price is lower than the production cost. 

Therefore, the government has been following a roadmap on raising the electricity price gradually to be sure the selling price can cover the production cost.

Meanwhile, energy experts believe the electricity price should be low in Vietnam because hydropower plants are the main source of power generation in the country.

Vuong Huu Tan, head of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (Varans), said nuclear power was expected to make up 7 percent of the national electricity output by 2030, a small proportion. 

He does not think nuclear power use would have a significant influence on electricity prices.

Will nuclear power be used widely in Vietnam to replace hydropower and thermal power in the future?

Vinh said Vietnam does not consider nuclear power as the major electricity supply source. 

Seventy percent of electricity in France is provided by nuclear power plants. However, Vietnam, with its specific socio-economic conditions, will not follow that way.

Moreover, it is expected that renewable energy such as wind and solar energy would be preferable.

In principle, governments need to consider their national energy security plans when deciding to develop any type of energy. 

They must not be too reliant on a single source of energy, and they must have alternative sources of energy in case energy sources face risks.

Tan from the Ministry of Industry and Trade said the total investment capital for the electricity sector was $5.864 billion a year, and would be $7.8 billion a year from now to 2030. 

Meanwhile, it needs $1.6 billion a year to invest in the coal mining industry to 2030.

Vietnam needs to develop nuclear power as part of a plan to reduce imports of input materials and minimize risks from energy price fluctuations.

Kham Pha