Safety, Framework Concerns Push Back Vietnam's Nuclear Project Start

Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Post-Fukushima safety concerns have pushed back the start date of Vietnam's first nuclear power plant. Nguyen Quan, Vietnam's Science and Technology Minister, said at the fifth annual Nuclear Power Asia conference that the project would not start this year and could be delayed for another two to three years. The delay was caused by a need for additional safety measures.

Nguyen said that the government will evaluate a feasibility study, select a site for the plant, and invite bids by the end of the year for the design and construction of the project. The official view is that the nuclear reactor will now begin operations in 2025. An investment resolution that was passed by Vietnam's National Assembly in 2009 indicated the completion of the nation's first nuclear plant initially had been sought for 2020.

Deputy Minister Le Dinh Tien said that, like other nations that are beginning to develop nuclear power programs, Vietnam faces key challenges. These include post-Fukushima concerns, safety measures, public acceptance, creating a regulatory framework, project licensing and financing, human resource development, and technology advancement and application.

Vietnam's strategic nuclear power plan covers the construction of eight plants with 13 reactors, with a total generating capacity of 16,000 megawatts, which would provide 6% of Vietnam's electricity supply needs by 2030.

For related information, see March 11, 2013, article - Vietnam Sends 2,000 Nuclear Workers to Russia and Japan for Project Training, and December 31, 2013, article - Vietnam's 10% Annual Growth in Power Demand Drives New Project Strategy.

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