Vietnam cautious in nuclear power development

Hoang Anh Tuan, Director General of the Vietnam Atomic Agency, tells Ha Noi Moi (New Ha Noi) newspaper that Vietnam will only develop its nuclear energy when conditions are mature.
Hoang Anh Tuan, Director General of the Vietnam Atomic Agency, tells HaNoi Moi (New Ha Noi) newspaper that Vietnam will only develop itsnuclear energy when conditions are mature.

He said following the Fukushima incident in Japan in April 2011, manycountries expressed concerns about the safety of nuclear plants. Germanyeven declared that by 2020 there would be no nuclear power plants inthat country.

However, in reality the number ofnuclear power plants in operation following the Fukushima incidentsremains almost the same. Nuclear energy now accounts for about 11percent of energy consumption world wide - and energy demand isincreasing. This is a strong indication that nuclear energy will keepdeveloping.

According to the scientist, in thecurrent context of global warming, nuclear energy is still the bestoption as it does not create a greenhouse effect, one of the factorsblamed for climate change. In addition, the cost of nuclear energy inmany countries is cheaper than that of coal-fired energy, geo-energy,wind energy or hydro energy.

He noted that the IAEA believes the tendency for more nuclear power development will increase rapidly.

Discussing the construction process of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear PowerPlant 1, the scientist said under the National Assembly Resolution41/2009/QH 12, the ground breaking ceremony for the Ninh Thuan NuclearPower Plant 1 was to be launched in 2014 and the first generator will beput into operation in 2020. However, by now the site of the plant andinvestment is still in the process of completion and approval.

In addition, following the Fukushima incident, the government hasasked agencies to come up with the most up to date safety designs andtechnology for the plant. That's why construction will only start whenall safety conditions are available. This is the reason for the delay.

Tuan said at present, owner of the Ninh Thuan nuclearproject, Electric Viet Nam Corporation (EVN), is working withconsultants on the location of the project and investment. In addition,EVN has presented to the Ministry of Science and Technology a report onproject safety.

It has also presented a report onenvironmental assessment to the Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment - and a report on general activities to the Ministry ofPlanning and Investment. However, there remains quite a lot of work tobe done. Hopefully, next year the final proposal will be presented tothe National Assembly for approval, according to the Director General ofthe Vietnam Atomic Agency.

He told the newspaperthat it is projected that about 440 university and post universitygraduates, plus 460 graduates from colleges and 200 technicians will beneeded to run the nuclear power plant. From 2010 to 2014, the Ministryof Education and Training sent 323 students to Russia to study nuclearpower plants. Another 10 graduates were sent to further their degrees onnuclear energy.

In the same period, EVN also sent30 students to study nuclear energy in Japan and Russia. In addition,the Ministry of Science and Technology has regularly organised shortcourses on nuclear energy for staff working in the field, includingpeople in public relations.-VNA

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