Ministry of Industry and Trade talks about restarting nuclear power project

TPO – At the regular press conference of the third quarter of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on October 23, a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that immediately after the Government's direction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinated with the Ministry of Science and Technology to study international experiences and report to Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.

At the regular press conference of the third quarter of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the afternoon of October 23, many hot topics related to the Electricity Law, nuclear power development, self-produced and self-consumed solar power policy, amending the decree on gasoline with many shortcomings... were raised by reporters with the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Responding to press questions about restarting the nuclear power project, Mr. Bui Quoc Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Industry and Trade - said that since 2009, Vietnam has been researching and implementing the nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan according to the Resolution of the National Assembly. When researching and implementing, the requirement is that the development of nuclear power must ensure economic, social, scientific and technical factors, financial resources, etc. However, due to many factors, especially difficulties in human resources and finance, the National Assembly has decided to temporarily suspend the research and implementation.

Mr. Hung also said that the current situation of the country and the world has changed positively, especially in terms of resources, so the Government has directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to study the development of nuclear power in the coming period. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with the Ministry of Science and Technology to study the experience of developing nuclear power in the world. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported to Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son on this issue.

Leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade answer questions at the press conference. Photo: C. Dung.

“The Ministry of Industry and Trade assesses that the development of nuclear power in the coming time is very necessary to ensure energy security and meet the Net Zero target. However, the development will be carefully studied and comprehensively evaluated to propose in the Power Plan 8 for review and adjustment,” said Mr. Hung.

Adding to the research on resuming nuclear power deployment, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said that the policy of developing nuclear power has existed but has been temporarily suspended. Currently, based on the Power Plan VIII and the Prime Minister's direction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is studying this issue and considering a report on whether it should be deployed or not.

According to Mr. Tan, the pressure related to renewable energy is so great that some developed countries have also increased their use of nuclear power by 2-3 times. “Like Japan, this country estimates that the proportion of nuclear power accounts for 20-25% despite the incidents that have occurred. Regarding technology, the concept of the Ministry of Industry and Trade is to use new, advanced technology, especially technology that has been applied in practice, ensuring maximum safety. Nuclear power must bring the safety level to the maximum, the risk to 0", Mr. Tan emphasized.

Regarding the time to restart the nuclear power project, the leader of the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that they are coordinating research and then reporting to the Government for approval to conduct research and adjust the power planning, only then will there be a basis for continued implementation.

Previously, on October 19, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government Standing Committee with ministries and branches on the implementation of important projects of the Oil and Gas Group and Vietnam Electricity Group to ensure adequate electricity supply and national energy security.

Regarding electricity, the Prime Minister requested to receive the first gas flow from the Lot B-O Mon gas project by the end of 2026. In addition, the Prime Minister also requested relevant agencies to research and develop nuclear power; continue to perfect regulations, institutions and update and adjust the VIII electricity plan.

Pham Tuyen

Source: https://tienphong.vn/bo-cong-thuong-noi-ve-viec-khoi-dong-lai-du-an-dien-nhat-nhan-post1684981.tpo