Vietnam to operate first nuclear power plant by 2020

The construction of the first nuclear power plant at Ninh Thuan will begin in 2014 and the first turbine will become operational in 2010, said a representative from the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN).

At a press briefing held in Hanoi on May 25 on the fourth international exhibition on nuclear power, the Head of EVN’s renewable energy and nuclear power projects’ investment board, Phan Minh Tuan, said a feasibility study is underway and the project is seeking opinions from consultants and partners.

EVN has also started negotiations with Russia on choosing the right technology as it is experienced in civil nuclear power, he added.

The country is also cooperating with Russia in human resource training nuclear power sector. According to Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute Vuong Huu Tan, Vietnam has sent 40 students and MAs to Russia for further training in this field. Seven domestic universities are also training workers for the sector.

Together with its rapid economic development, the country’s energy consumption is rising fast, said Tan. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has forecast that Vietnam will need around 294 billion kWh of power in 2020 and 562 billion kWh by 2030. Meanwhile, current energy sources will only be able to supply around 230 billion kWh by 2020 and 293 billion kWh by 2030.

Developing nuclear power, therefore, is extremely important, said Tan, adding that it would not only meet the national economy’s increasing demand for power but also ensure energy security.

The fourth exhibition, which focuses on the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, will take place in Hanoi from May 27-29, drawing many of the world’s leading nuclear technology companies from Japan, Russia, France, the US, China, Canada and Bulgaria.

The Ninh Thuan project, which was approved by the National Assembly in its November 2009 session, includes two reactors which combined can produce over 4,000 MW./

VNA

Tags: Ninh thuan nuclear power plant, Vietnam energy, Vietnam power plants