Vietnam set to produce nuclear power by 2017
HANOI - Vietnam will operate its first nuclear power generator either by 2017 or
2019, an international seminar on nuclear power and sustainable development in Asia held in Hanoi on
March 26-27 was told.
Director of the Energy Institute under the Ministry of Industry Nguyen Manh Hien further noted that
energy experts have devised two energy sources development scenarios to 2020 for Vietnam.
Under the primary level scenario, the country is estimated to need 30,000 MW of electricity by 2020,
including 4,000 MW of coal-fuelled power, 10,000 MW of hydro-electric power, 4,000 MW of
imported power, 10,000 MW of gas-fuelled power, and 1,200 MW of nuclear power. In other words,
Vietnam's first nuclear power generator should be put into operation in 2019.
Under the secondary level scenario, Vietnam will need 35,000 MW of electricity by that time or additional
volumes of 3,000 MW and 2,800 MW of coal-fuelled and nuclear power, respectively. In this case,
Vietnam will need to start operating its first nuclear power generator in 2017.
Hien also said that the country's first nuclear power plant is likely to be built either in the southern central
coastal province of Ninh Thuan or its neighbour province of Binh Thuan.
Addressing the seminar, organised jointly by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the
Vietnam Atomic Energy Centre (VAEC), Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Chu Tuan
Nha advised the seminar to conduct open and thorough discussions on nuclear safety, management of
used fuel and radio-active waste and nuclear weapons proliferation.
He took this occasion to affirm Vietnam's consistent policy on using nuclear power for peaceful purposes
only.
Nha went on to say that based on that principle, Vietnam has been conducting research on the application
of nuclear power in the areas of health care, agriculture, industry and environmental protection.
The Prime Minister on May 7, 2001, gave the green light to conducting a pre-feasibility study for the
construction of a nuclear power plant in Vietnam. The study, expected to be completed in 2003, will be
submitted to the National Assembly for approval, Minister Nha also said.
Vietnam News Agency - March 28, 2002.
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