National Assembly agrees to restart Ninh Thuan nuclear power project

After 8 years of suspension, the investment policy for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project will continue to be implemented.

The National Assembly agreed to continue implementing the investment policy for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. Photo: Pham Thang

On the afternoon of November 30, at the closing session of the 8th Session, the National Assembly voted to pass the Resolution of the 8th Session, 15th National Assembly. One of the notable contents of the resolution is that the National Assembly agreed to continue implementing the investment policy for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project according to the Government's Submission No. 811/TTr-CP dated November 25, 2024. The National Assembly assigned the Government to urgently direct the allocation of resources to implement the conclusions of competent authorities; study and amend and supplement relevant laws, including the Law on Atomic Energy. Regarding the nuclear power development policy, according to the Law on Electricity (amended), the nuclear power development plan must be closely linked, synchronous, and consistent with the power development plan to ensure the goal of electricity supply security. The Law on Electricity (amended) also stipulates that the State has a monopoly in investing in the construction and operation of nuclear power plant projects. Previously, on November 27, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh , authorized by the Prime Minister, presented a report on continuing the investment policy for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, nuclear power is currently receiving increasing attention from many countries and continues to develop in the context of combating climate change, implementing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring energy security. As of the end of August 2024, there were 415 nuclear power reactors in operation worldwide, with a total installed capacity of 373,735 MWe, and 62 reactors under construction with a total capacity of about 64,971 MWe. In addition to 32 countries owning and operating nuclear power plants, 20 other countries are considering development to meet energy needs and realize climate commitments. Meanwhile, Vietnam's electricity consumption demand is forecast to continue to increase. The current total power system capacity is about 80 GW, needing about 70 GW more by 2030 and 400-500 GW by 2050. "Developing nuclear power sources in Vietnam brings many benefits such as diversifying power supply sources, ensuring energy security. Meeting the dual task of both providing baseload power and protecting the environment," said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh. In addition, the average electricity production cost of nuclear power can compete with other traditional sources. Developing high-quality human resources, enhancing the national science and technology potential, participating in the nuclear power industry supply chain. In 2009, implementing the National Assembly's Resolution, the Government assigned Vietnam Electricity (EVN) to be the investor of the projects and cooperated with Russia (Ninh Thuan 1 Project) and Japan (Ninh Thuan 2 Project) to carry out investment preparation work. The selected locations have been carefully surveyed and evaluated by domestic and foreign consultants, and are the two best locations, meeting strict international criteria, suitable for building a nuclear power plant in Vietnam. Using previously researched locations to develop and build nuclear power in the future is very convenient, saving time and costs in research, surveying and selecting locations. "The restart of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is necessary, well-founded and meets practical requirements," the Government emphasized.

In 2009, the National Assembly passed a Resolution on the investment policy for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. In November 2016, due to many reasons, the National Assembly passed a Resolution to stop implementing this policy.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/thoi-su/quoc-hoi-dong-y-tai-khoi-dong-du-an-dien-hat-nhan-ninh-thuan-1428632.ldo