At a February 17 workshop on amending Power Plan VIII and strategic environmental assessment, Nguyen Dang Duong, a representative of the Institute of Energy, highlighted delays in multiple power projects under Power Plan VIII and emphasized the need for nuclear power development in Vietnam.

The Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plants were previously assigned to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and PetroVietnam (PVN) as the main investors. These plants are expected to be operational between 2030 and 2035, with a total capacity of 6,000-6,400 MW.

Duong projected that from 2035 to 2050, Vietnam will need to add 4.5-5 GW of nuclear power in the North and 3 GW in the Central region, primarily using small modular reactor (SMR) technology to provide a stable energy supply.

To ensure nuclear power remains competitive with other energy sources and becomes operational between 2031 and 2035, he suggested lowering the investment cost for nuclear power to around $4,000 per kW.

Ha Tinh proposed as an alternative nuclear power site

Vietnam has already identified eight potential sites for nuclear power development in five provinces, each capable of supporting 4-6 GW of nuclear capacity.

Duong suggested that, if a suitable site is found in the North, nuclear power capacity in this region could be increased from 900 MW by 2045 to 4,800 MW by 2050.

Based on this, he proposed Ha Tinh or another northern location as a backup site if nuclear power projects cannot proceed in Ninh Thuan.

This alternative would provide a stable energy source for northern industrial hubs, reducing the need for interregional power transmission.

The Institute of Energy also recommended early planning for nuclear power development under the Law on Planning and the Law on Atomic Energy to finalize capacity, technology, locations, and implementation timelines.

Potential nuclear power sites in Vietnam

According to Decision No. 906 (June 17, 2010) by the Prime Minister on nuclear power development, eight sites in five provinces have been identified as potential locations for large-scale nuclear power plants:

Vinh Truong Hamlet, Phuoc Dinh Commune, Thuan Nam District, Ninh Thuan Province

Thai An Hamlet, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province

Lo Dieu Hamlet, Hoai My Commune, Hoai Nhon District, Binh Dinh Province

Vung La, Phu Hai Hamlet, Xuan Phuong Commune, Song Cau District, Phu Yen Province

Son Tinh Hamlet, Ky Xuan Commune, Ky Anh District, Ha Tinh Province

Cha La Beach, Binh Tien Hamlet, Cong Hai Commune, Thuan Bac District, Ninh Thuan Province

Gia Hoa Hamlet, Duc Thang Commune, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province

Van Ban Hamlet, Duc Chanh Commune, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province

Each location has the potential to support 4-6 GW of nuclear power capacity.

Currently, only Phuoc Dinh and Vinh Hai have publicly approved nuclear power plant locations. Additional potential sites in Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh are being considered for four large-scale nuclear reactor units.

Tam An