Early approval of the long-term nuclear power development program

A nuclear power project is not simply an energy project, but also a national commitment to nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation and compensation. The Steering Committee for Nuclear Power Plant Construction needs to direct the development and submit to the Prime Minister for early approval of the National Long-Term Nuclear Power Development Program, creating a legal basis for the development and implementation of related projects and component projects.

Nuclear power development is the responsibility of the whole system.

On August 20, 2025, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 70/NQ-TW on ensuring national energy security until 2030 with a vision to 2045 (Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW), which clearly stated the development orientation for nuclear power.

Specifically, the Resolution requires: urgently deploying the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power projects with suitable partners, ensuring the highest benefits of Vietnam taking into account previous agreements, putting them into operation in the period 2030 - 2035. Building a nuclear power development program according to flexible scales and small module nuclear power plants; promoting investment in research and development of atomic energy technology, gradually mastering nuclear power technology, including nuclear reactor technology; encouraging state-owned and private enterprises to participate in developing small module nuclear power...

The monitoring delegation of the Standing Committee of Science , Technology and Environment conducted a field survey at the construction site of the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant project in September 2025. Photo: People's Council

The implementation of Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW related to nuclear power is the responsibility of the entire political system, first of all the State Steering Committee for Nuclear Power Projects and relevant organizations and units. To implement this Resolution, it is necessary to focus on necessary tasks.

Firstly, perfecting the institutions and policies for nuclear power development. Based on the promulgated Law on Atomic Energy (amended), it is necessary to focus on a team of experts to develop sub-law documents to serve the management of nuclear power projects throughout their life cycle, prioritizing the first stages (site selection, design approval, construction licensing, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of nuclear power plant equipment manufacturing). Regulations must be consistent with international practices and comply with the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Second, developing nuclear power supply and infrastructure. Investors of Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power projects need to urgently discuss with foreign partners about technology selection and overall project implementation roadmap to have a basis for developing plans and projects related to nuclear power infrastructure development; complete project documents (pre-feasibility report, site approval documents and feasibility report) for approval after negotiating with foreign partners; establish a Project Management Unit (PMU) and organize the operation of nuclear power plants along with assigning related responsibilities to these organizations after the investment project is approved...

In addition, it is necessary to develop a national long-term nuclear power development program. Because a nuclear power project is not simply an energy project, but also a national commitment to nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation and compensation. The national long-term nuclear power development program will include the contents of necessary infrastructure conditions (related to nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation and compensation) and the contents of sufficient conditions according to the country's needs. Up to now, we do not have this program. Therefore, the Steering Committee for Nuclear Power Plant Construction needs to direct the development and submit it to the Prime Minister for early approval to create a legal basis for the development and implementation of projects and component projects related to nuclear power.

Research on preferential policies for nuclear power development

Third, focus on mobilizing all social resources, strongly encourage the private sector to participate in nuclear power development. Nuclear power is just an energy project, it is not necessary for the State to exclusively invest in nuclear power plants, there can be other forms of investment to mobilize social resources both domestically and internationally as Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW has pointed out.

In the world, Türkiye has used the BOO method in the Akkuyu nuclear power project in cooperation with Rosatom with 4 VVER-1200 units (total capacity 4,800MW). Türkiye's GDP in 2023 is 3,613 billion USD, per capita 41,887 USD, much larger than ours, but they still choose the BOO method.

In addition, it is also necessary to study preferential policies for nuclear power development that some countries have successfully applied, such as: policies on preferential electricity prices and mechanisms for mobilizing favorable operating hours for nuclear power plants; policies on providing cheap loans for state-owned enterprises to build nuclear power plants through policy banks; policies on compensation for site clearance for nuclear power plant construction sites and connection to the national power transmission grid... along with allowing the private sector to participate in nuclear power development in the spirit of Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW.

Fourth, create breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, digital transformation and human resource training in the field of nuclear power. According to the objectives of the national long-term nuclear power development program, it is necessary to develop a scientific research and technology development program on nuclear power technology and safety to carry out the tasks in each stage of the investor (Vietnam Electricity Group, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group) and of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety) in the national long-term nuclear power development program.

At the same time, it is necessary to develop a human resource training and development project to promptly meet the quantity, quality and time requirements of relevant organizations in the national long-term nuclear power development program. It is necessary to urgently develop a policy to prioritize training high-quality human resources and attract experts in the field of nuclear energy, even allowing them to take on some leadership positions in organizations related to nuclear power.

Fifth, strengthen international cooperation, contributing to promoting rapid and sustainable development of the nuclear power industry on the principle of “co-design, co-manufacture, co-operation, co-management” as General Secretary To Lam directed in a working session with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute. In that spirit, EPC contracts must have provisions on transfer, localization and training of human resources in nuclear power technology in accordance with the goals of the national long-term nuclear power development program.

Nuclear power is an internationally sensitive field related to nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation and compensation. Therefore, we also need to study, participate in and build capacity to implement all relevant international commitments on nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation and compensation, in which comprehensive cooperation with the IAEA is our first priority in developing nuclear power.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/som-phe-duyet-chuong-trinh-phat-trien-dien-hat-nhan-dai-han-10387455.html