Nuclear power plant development in Vietnam: Many key steps taken

The process of building the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam requires a significant amount of time, with many stages to be done. Over the recent past, the country has taken many key steps to ensure that this plant can become operational by 2032 to meet the national energy demand and secure sustainable development.

Nuclear science and technology research centre – Top priority

Professor Pham Duy Hien, an atomic energy expert and former Deputy Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VAEI) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, affirmed that the development of nuclear power is becoming increasingly important and necessary amid global energy challenges such as the shortage of clean energy sources, climate change, and the growing energy demand.

The reactivation of nuclear power projects will help Vietnam diversify its energy supply sources, guarantee energy security, and achieve its economic growth target as well as its commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, as pledged at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

According to the professor, in the countries that have developed nuclear energy, they first studied and operated research reactors basing on which they would build and develop a nuclear industry. In Vietnam, the Da Lat Nuclear Reactor officially began running on March 20, 1984, with a capacity of 500 kWt. Over 40 years of the reactor's operation, the VAEI’s research and development activities have made significant contributions to the country's socio-economic development.

This reactor can be considered the first step in introducing atomic energy to Vietnam, and the upcoming construction of a nuclear science and technology research centre in the southern province of Dong Nai will serve as a milestone to ensure that the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant project is completed on schedule.

Therefore, Hien emphasised, Vietnam needs to accelerate the establishment of the centre with a large research reactor as the top priority in the country’s nuclear power development programme.

He also expressed his belief that completing and putting this centre into operation will serve as a "cradle" for training human resources needed for Vietnam’s nuclear power plants.

Readying human resources for nuclear power projects

VAEI Director Tran Chi Thanh shared that nuclear science and technology is considered the "backbone" for socio-economic development and national defence – security safeguarding. Over the years, the atomic energy sector has been silently preparing to strengthen its workforce and human resources in anticipation of Vietnam's resumption of its nuclear power project.