Minister Nguyen Manh Hung: Vietnam gradually forms a nuclear industry

Explaining the draft Law on Atomic Energy that is being consulted and submitted to the National Assembly for approval, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized the policy of building and applying nuclear power and atomic energy for peaceful and civil purposes.

Mr. Hung said that the design of the Law on Atomic Energy in Vietnam comes from the strategic needs of the country. Nuclear power is currently the strategic energy of countries, is green electricity, base electricity, and has a very high level of safety.

In the world , nuclear power accounts for 10-30% of electricity production. After a period of decline, countries are now redeveloping nuclear power with the view of finding a highly carbon neutral plan.

"Vietnam plans to master the nuclear industry, gradually form a nuclear industry, develop nuclear energy applications for civil purposes, manufacture domestic equipment, and monitor radiation... In the nuclear energy development strategy, in the first phase, Vietnam will prioritize domestic enterprises to develop equipment, applications, and monitor radiation, then move towards manufacturing application equipment, and eventually become self-sufficient in the nuclear industry," said Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung. (Photo: Quochoi.vn).

Regarding safety assurance and response plans for possible disasters at nuclear power plants, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that safety assurance activities in nuclear applications in general are managed by a unified State agency to ensure international compliance. The Ministry of Science and Technology has sent a delegation to consult with the IAEA, and the IAEA has basically concluded that the nuclear safety and security inspection of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Law has met all regulations.

"Vietnam has a plan to manage nuclear safety from selecting locations, pre-feasibility reports of projects, importing fuel rods, handling expired fuel rods, and finally closing nuclear power plants. Each stage has nuclear radiation assessment, meeting the conditions to proceed with construction, and meeting the necessary conditions to apply," said Minister Hung.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that the draft law designs a separate chapter on factories and a separate chapter on nuclear safety. In which, maintaining security throughout the life cycle, building a culture, nuclear safety and security for diverse nuclear applications in society.

“The principle of ensuring safety and security is set at a very high level, and is demonstrated throughout each management object, from radiation to fuel disposal,” Mr. Hung reassured.

In addition, the draft law has a separate chapter on compensation for nuclear radiation damage and a separate chapter on nuclear radiation treatment. The presiding agency also adds mechanisms and principles for participation in nuclear monitoring and inspection to ensure peaceful use and implementation of international treaties, especially during the research phase.

According to Mr. Hung, the law has applications for nuclear development for civilians, risk classification, promoting the application of the latest achievements of atomic energy for health, science, socio-economics, encouraging enterprises to research and develop nuclear technology to reduce the burden on the State. The State has policies to train, give incentives, and promote domestic and foreign experts to attract talented people to work in nuclear.

PHAM DUY

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/bo-truong-nguyen-manh-hung-viet-nam-dan-hinh-thanh-nganh-cong-nghiep-hat-nhan-ar943336.html