The Government has approved a plan to relocate people who have to make way for the two nuclear power plants to be built in the central province of Ninh Thuan.

The resettlment is expected to cost VND3.2 trillion (nearly US$147 million), which will be provided by the Electricity of Viet Nam Group.

Infrastructure will be built and favourable conditions created for people to move into the two new residential areas as soon as possible.

There will also be efforts to help the affected people improve their incomes, thus boosting socio-economic development in those areas.

Ninh Thuan Province wants the project to help tap its economic potential as well as restructure its economy and boost production in line with the Government's policies on industrialisation and modernisation.

According to Ninh Thuan provincial authorities, 4,911 people belonging to 1,288 families will be moved to the new areas by 2018 at the latest.

Construction of the nuclear power plants is expected to begin in 2017. Commercial operation of the first reactor is scheduled for 2023 and the second for 2024.

When the two plants go on stream, they will produce 28 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year and contribute $2.24 billion annually to tax revenues.

The construction of the nuclear power plants will not only help ensure energy security and spur investment in economic development, but also open up a new direction of development for services, tourism and trade of Ninh Thuan, according to the province. 

VNS