The Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (Vinatom) has stressed that nuclear power will help the country sustain electricity supply and fuel socio-economic growth in the long run, Vietnam News Agency reports.

Vietnam could face severe power shortages in 2020 when the country needs more than 360 billion kWh to meet socio-economic development, while new hydropower, thermal power and renewable energy projects have not progressed as smoothly as expected due to matters related to selling prices and material supply.

Therefore, nuclear power will help ensure electricity supply for the future, according to a report of Vinatom.

Vuong Huu Tan, head of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, said nuclear power development for peaceful purposes and economic growth are an important policy that has got public support. 

Vietnam plans to have 13 nuclear reactors by 2030 in line with the Prime Minister’s Decision 906/2010/TTg.

In Monday’s talks, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev agreed to speed up the implementation of Ninh Thuan 1 power plant project. They requested the highest safety and security requirements for the country’s first nuclear power station in the central province of Ninh Thuan.

Tan of the agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology said relevant agencies need to conduct thorough surveys on the impact of nuclear power plants on the daily activities of people in addition to big investments in infrastructure development for the projects and application of the highest security and safety criteria.

Experts pointed out shortages of skilled labor and investment, and underdeveloped infrastructure as the major challenges for nuclear power development. Besides, the country lacks experience in managing and implementing such projects.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was quoted by Vietnam News Agency as saying that Vietnam should work out a specific plan for human resource development for the local nuclear power sector. If this is met, the country will have enough people able to manage and operate the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant in the next 7-10 years.

Vietnam is cooperating with Russia to prepare for the Ninh Thuan 1 and Japan for Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant. Work has started on a facility supplying electricity for implementation of the first project.

Phan Minh Tuan, deputy director of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project management board, said that investment preparations for the project are moving as planned by the Government.

Reports on location and environmental impact of the Ninh Thuan 1 project have been completed. Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), the owner of the project, and the board have sent the reports to relevant ministries and agencies for comment.

Nuclear power will account for nearly 7% of national electricity consumption by 2030 as envisaged in an energy development strategy for the country.