IAEA is assessing Vietnam's nuclear power infrastructure.

Implementing the direction of the Prime Minister, Head of the Steering Committee for the construction of nuclear power plants, from December 1 to 11 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), with the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety as the focal point, chaired and coordinated with relevant ministries and branches of Vietnam to work with the working delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission (INIR Mission).

This is an important activity in the preparation roadmap for the implementation of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project and similar projects in the future.

The INIR mission included seven IAEA experts, three international experts invited by the IAEA from the UK, Brazil, Bulgaria and one observer from Egypt.

IAEA đang đánh giá cơ sở hạ tầng điện hạt nhân của Việt Nam - 1 — Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh delivered the opening speech at the Working Session to assess the integration of nuclear power infrastructure in Vietnam (Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology).

The delegation will work with representatives of relevant ministries, branches and units of Vietnam, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Vietnam National Energy - Industry Group (PVN), and Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh highly appreciated the timely support of the IAEA. The experience and companionship of experts are of special importance to Vietnam in the process of completing the nuclear power infrastructure according to international standards and IAEA guidelines.

Deputy Minister Dinh affirmed: “The Ministry of Science and Technology, as the coordinating and presiding agency for nuclear power infrastructure development, will promote nuclear power infrastructure development activities according to IAEA recommendations to meet the requirements of the first Nuclear Power Project in Vietnam.

At the same time, the Ministry of Science and Technology will continue to support and advocate cooperation activities between Vietnam and the IAEA in developing applications of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in Vietnam."

IAEA đang đánh giá cơ sở hạ tầng điện hạt nhân của Việt Nam - 2 — Vietnamese delegates and IAEA experts attended the working session (Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology).

On the IAEA side, Mr. Eric Mathet, Head of the delegation, said: “This delegation marks an important milestone in Vietnam's journey towards establishing a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear power program, taking into account its safety obligations.”

The IAEA appreciated Vietnam's efforts in preparing the self-assessment report for this delegation.

The working group, comprising experienced experts in the fields of nuclear power infrastructure, has carefully studied Vietnam's Self-Assessment Report and maintained regular contact with the Vietnamese focal point in reviewing and evaluating the report.

The IAEA also encourages open communication between the Vietnamese and INIR working groups to ensure the success of the mission.

According to IAEA guidelines, nuclear power infrastructure includes 19 main contents showing all activities and preparations in all aspects from facilities, equipment, locations, auxiliary works, legal documents to economic and human resources to serve the nuclear power development program.

For a country that has just started its first nuclear power program like Vietnam, the infrastructure development process must go through 3 stages marked by 3 corresponding milestones. The stages and corresponding milestones are as follows:

Phase 1: Preparation for the decision to launch a nuclear power program, marked by Milestone 1: Readiness to make a policy decision to launch the first nuclear power project.

Phase 2: Preparation for the construction of the nuclear power plant, marked by Milestone 2: Ready to invite tenders for the first project.

- Phase 3: Construction and commissioning of the first nuclear power plant, marked by Milestone No. 3: Ready to commission the first nuclear power plant.

This INIR mission focused on reviewing and evaluating objectively and comprehensively all 19 nuclear power infrastructure contents compared to Milestone 2 according to IAEA guidelines.

In preparation for the Working Group, the Working Group on Vietnam's Nuclear Power Infrastructure Assessment established by the Ministry of Science and Technology completed the Self-Assessment Report and sent it to the IAEA in October.

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