However, in 2016, the second session of the 14th National Assembly released Resolution No31/2016 on postponing the development of the power project, valid on November 22, 2016.

Now the reactivation of the nuclear power project is under consideration. The draft Electricity Law (amended) has updated the nuclear power development orientation. Therefore, the question about where to set up nuclear power plants has again been raised.

In the past, Ninh Thuan province was chosen for both nuclear power plants.

The locations chosen for Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 plants were chosen after long and thorough research which concluded that they could satisfy strict requirements in international practice.

The report on supervising the implementation of Resolution 31/2016 on postponing the nuclear power development project in Ninh Thuan in 2016-2021 released by the National Assembly’s Economics Committee 2022 also showed detailed information about the process.

According to IAEA (the International Atomic Energy Agency), the process of choosing locations for nuclear power plants comprises three stages.

Stage 1: seeking and exploring possible locations

Stage 2: assessing the locations

Stage 3: carrying out supplemental research before and after operation

Stage 1 consists of three phases. Phase 1: analyzing zones and choosing potential locations (was implemented in 1996-20000); Phase 2: considering the potential locations and choosing ‘candidates’; and Phase 3: comparing and putting the locations in priority order (was implemented in 2001-2007).

The locations must be considered in conformity with requirements set by IAEA, including electricity supply sphere; electricity system that serves construction; sources of water to cool machines; additional fresh water sources; construction sites; faults; earthquakes; volcanoes; hurricanes; waterspouts; tsunamis; floods; prevailing wind directions; transportation systems; distance to airports; distance to military zones, chemical warehouses; people’s resettlement; and type of land for construction and local support.

To assess the location, two partners, including the joint name of E4-KIEP-EPT and JAPC consultancy, carried out research activities for many years. Phase 1 found 20 potential locations in 11 provinces.

After comparisons, assessment and rankings, 10 locations in seven provinces were shortlisted. Finally, eight locations in six provinces were selected in accordance with the Prime Minister Decision No 906 dated June 17, 2010 that approved the orientation for the nuclear power development planning in Vietnam by 2030.

Vinh Truong hamlet in Phuoc Dinh commune in Thuan Nam district, and Thai An hamlet in Vinh Hai commune of Ninh Hai district in Ninh Thuan province were found meeting IAEA’s strict requirements.

It was very costly to find suitable locations. In 2010-2015, the expenses on feasibility study and location assessment for each location were over $30 million each, granted by the Russian and Japanese governments under non-refundable aid.

Phase 2 – site assessment, was implemented in 2011-2015. EVN (Electricity of Vietnam) signed contracts with partners, including the joint name E4-KIEP-EPT (Russia) and JAPC (Japan Atomic Power Company) to carry out activities for SAD and FS for Ninh Thuan 1 and 2. 

The Report No 80/BC dated April 1, 2022 of Ninh Thuan provincial People’s Committee showed that the total area reserved for nuclear power plants was 1,642.22 hectares (more than 90 percent was agricultural land), while the population in the area was 3,717,1,063 households.

The report on implementing Resolution No 31/2016 showed that the government adjusted the land use planning by 2020 (Resolution No 113 dated August 30, 2018), turning the agricultural land into land for renewable energy development (NinhThuan1), while the land use for the area where NinhThuan2 was expected to be located remained unchanged. 

The land use planning for nuclear power plants under decisions by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is still valid.

The National Assembly’s monitoring report said that cancelling the decisions related to the approval of locations for Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 might be understood by partners and the domestic public as a complete stop of the nuclear power development program in Ninh Thuan. The locations are believed to be safe after thorough research and there may be no other alternative location.

The National Assembly’s Economics Committee requested the government to temporarily retain land use planning for Ninh Thuan1 and 2 until competent agencies release official decisions on the issue.

The committee stressed that nuclear power has few greenhouse gas emissions which can help mitigate the consequences of the climate change.

Luong Bang