"Negotiating the construction of nuclear power plants in the spirit of harmonious interests"

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested to promote the implementation of Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant projects to serve the country's energy needs in the new period.

On the afternoon of October 22, concluding the third meeting of the Steering Committee for the construction of nuclear power plants (the Steering Committee), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Steering Committee, requested the acceleration of the implementation of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant projects to serve the country's energy needs in the new era.

At the meeting, the Steering Committee focused on reviewing the implementation of tasks; proposing tasks and solutions for the future, and promoting the construction of nuclear power plants to meet the country's development requirements.

Accordingly, the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project received investment approval from the 12th National Assembly in 2009. However, in 2016, the 14th National Assembly passed a resolution to temporarily suspend the project's implementation. Facing the demands of a new development era, at the end of 2024, the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the National Assembly considered and agreed on the policy to restart the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project (now located in Khanh Hoa province). Immediately afterwards, the Prime Minister issued decisions to establish and strengthen the Steering Committee for the construction of the nuclear power plant.

The Prime Minister has assigned the investor the task of land clearance; added the nuclear power plant to the Power Development Plan VIII; submitted to the National Assembly for promulgation the Atomic Energy Law and is currently developing decrees and circulars for its implementation; issued a plan to implement the National Assembly's resolution on special mechanisms and policies for the development of Ninh Thuan nuclear power; developed a plan for training nuclear power human resources; established a financial mechanism for land clearance for the construction of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant; has been and is working with foreign partners related to the project; and is developing a plan for arranging and seeking funding for the project...

Ministries, sectors, and localities coordinate in developing plans, selecting technologies, surveying schedules, preparing feasibility designs, construction, and the steps for evaluating feasibility study (FS) reports, and are ready to negotiate and sign engineering, construction, and general contractor (EPC) contracts; develop a special national-level science and technology research program on nuclear power technology and safety; and work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to assess Vietnam's nuclear power infrastructure according to IAEA standards...

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Steering Committee, highly appreciated the ministries, sectors, and members of the Steering Committee for actively implementing the tasks according to the conclusions of the 2nd meeting of the Steering Committee, with concrete results that meet the new situation. Specifically, 9 out of 18 tasks have been completed; 7 out of 19 tasks are underway; however, 2 out of 18 tasks have not yet been implemented.

Third meeting of the Steering Committee for the construction of the nuclear power plant. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Pointing out several limitations that need to be overcome regarding the progress of negotiations with foreign partners on the construction of nuclear power plants, land clearance work, and the completion of related legal frameworks, the Prime Minister requested ministries, sectors, localities, and members of the Steering Committee to proactively resolve issues. For issues beyond their authority, they should compile and report to the competent authorities for consideration and resolution.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively implement Resolution 328/NQ-CP on the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW dated August 20, 2025, of the Politburo on ensuring national energy security until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

In addition, a compilation of outstanding legal issues will be developed into a draft Resolution to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration, aiming to complete the legal frameworks related to the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plants. This includes reviewing the special mechanisms and policies for investment and construction of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project as stipulated in Resolution No. 189/2025/QH15, and proposing additions if necessary.

Ministries, departments, and agencies, according to their functions and duties, shall coordinate in handling the recommendations of the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province regarding the mechanism for implementing the resettlement and land clearance projects for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant.

Directing Khanh Hoa province to develop resettlement projects, provide adequate support and compensation for people, ensuring that people have a better life in their new homes, at least equal to their old homes; and at the same time, to educate and persuade people to give up their land for the project, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance to consider, arrange, and submit a proposal to allocate an additional 9,000 billion VND as requested by Khanh Hoa province for land clearance.

The Prime Minister requested ministries and agencies to actively work on negotiating and finalizing the Agreement with Russia on cooperation in building the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant. He noted that during the negotiation process, similar agreements between countries should be referenced, based on the principle of harmonizing interests and sharing risks; the contents of the Agreement must be based on principles and comply with the regulations and standards of the IAEA, as well as the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage; and be consistent with Vietnam's conditions.

Regarding loan negotiations and tax, fee, and levy policies related to nuclear power projects, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to study appropriate options and submit them to the National Assembly for consideration.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to urgently focus on preparing a pre-feasibility study and simultaneously research and develop a technical design for the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant, based on which the competent authorities will consider the project. The Vietnam National Energy and Industry Group (PVN) was instructed to proceed with the investment project for the construction of the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant; and to coordinate with ministries and agencies to definitively resolve outstanding issues.

The Ministry of Education and Training is working closely with EVN and PVN to clearly identify the needs in terms of quantity, qualifications, and expertise of human resources to serve nuclear power plants. Based on this, they will organize training and attract domestic and foreign personnel to work there.

In the spirit of utmost urgency, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that ministries, sectors, localities, and members of the Steering Committee must continue to focus their time, effort, and intellect on carrying out tasks according to their functions, duties, and powers regarding the construction of nuclear power plants.

Specifically, this includes completing negotiations on the cooperation agreement for the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant with Russia and finalizing the legal framework by November 2025; essentially concluding negotiations with the Japanese partner on issues related to the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant; and reporting to the Politburo on the progress of nuclear power plant construction in accordance with Politburo Resolution 70 on ensuring national energy security until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dam-phan-xay-dung-nha-may-dien-hat-nhan-tren-tinh-than-loi-ich-hai-hoa-post1071969.vnp