It's not just about SMR technology; if institutions, human resources, finance, and social trust are carefully prepared, SMR can become a "piece" in ensuring energy security, contributing to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and double-digit growth in the new era.
SMR - a long-term option for Vietnam
According to Tran Chi Thanh, Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute: In the context of ensuring energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fulfilling international commitments on climate change, nuclear power continues to be a focus of development for many countries. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are considered one of the promising technologies due to their high safety characteristics, flexible deployment capabilities, and suitable power scale.
According to Director Tran Chi Thanh, small modular reactors (SMRs) are not a short-term solution but a strategic option with long-term potential for Vietnam. However, a cautious, step-by-step approach and thorough research are needed to prepare for Vietnam's long-term energy decisions. The Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute will continue to lead research, training, and international cooperation, exchanging international experience in project implementation, nuclear safety and security requirements; and the legal framework and licensing procedures for SMRs in accordance with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to prepare for future policy decisions on SMRs. SMRs have commercialization potential and require an institutional roadmap for development in the context of Vietnam pursuing energy security and net zero emissions by 2050.
According to Vladimir Kriventsev, an expert from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the current state of advanced nuclear reactor technology and SMRs has placed Vietnam in the global picture, and the world is shifting from very large-capacity nuclear power plants to smaller-capacity reactors that can be mass-produced in a modular fashion and deployed more flexibly. Small-capacity reactor technologies such as: miniature pressurized water reactors, fast reactors, molten salt reactors, and high-temperature gas reactors each have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of fuel, safety, and cost. However, for countries new to SMRs, the prerequisite is not capacity or cost but nuclear safety, management capacity, and spent fuel disposal strategies, and the IAEA is committed to supporting Vietnam in standards, training, and sharing licensing experience.
Currently, there are 416 operating nuclear power plants worldwide with a total capacity of 376.2 GW; SMR has designed 69 plants, but only 2 SMR plants have been put into operation, accounting for 0.07% of the total global nuclear power capacity. Of these, the Russian Federation has 2 SMR reactors with a capacity of 2×35 MW and China has 1 SMR reactor with a capacity of 210 MW. The construction of the SMR project will make Vietnam one of the countries that master and produce electricity using SMR technology.
A separate legal framework for SMR
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh, from the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety ( Ministry of Science and Technology ), stated: Nuclear power policy and the legal framework for nuclear power development in Vietnam have been updated and amended in various Laws, Decrees, and Circulars... However, Vietnam's current legal framework is primarily designed for large-scale nuclear power plants and is not optimized for SMRs (Solar-Miniature Models). Therefore, a separate decree or circular on SMR licensing is needed (including safety standards, environmental impact assessment procedures, and an independent monitoring mechanism), and the State is recommended to play a key role in risk guarantee and safety assurance, especially during the pilot phase.
Paula Calle-Vives of the International Atomic Energy Agency, speaking from the IAEA's perspective on SMR licensing, stated that the implementation of SMRs first and foremost requires an independent, transparent, and evidence- based national nuclear regulatory authority. This is a fundamental condition for ensuring safety and building trust in any nuclear program. Therefore, the IAEA recommended that Vietnam adopt a risk-based licensing approach, flexible to the specifics of SMRs, rather than mechanically applying the legal framework for large nuclear power plants, while still ensuring a comparable level of safety protection. In particular, the IAEA emphasized the importance of public communication and dialogue with the community, as these are crucial factors in building social acceptance of SMRs.
According to Director Tran Chi Thanh, along with perfecting the legal framework for SMRs, it is necessary to strengthen the capacity and research and development orientation of SMRs in Vietnam with a systematic training program on reactor physics, nuclear safety, fuel and waste management, as well as capabilities to support independent licensing and supervision.
According to Director Tran Chi Thanh, when Vietnam's nuclear power program restarts, the Institute clearly defines its research tasks on advanced technology and design, as well as nuclear safety analysis and assessment. Simultaneously, it focuses on strengthening human resource training, building a team of leading experts, and developing projects and tasks related to nuclear power technology and design… to support the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, as well as researching and designing SMRs for implementation in Vietnam. The Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute proposes the establishment of a "National SMR Research Center" to serve domestic research, acting as a focal point for cooperation with the IAEA, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Europe on technology transfer and training of experts related to SMRs.
Experts believe that SMRs could become a stable supplementary base load source for renewable energy, but they suggest that pilot implementation should only be undertaken after the legal framework and human resource training are complete. They also believe Vietnam should start with SMRs before proceeding with the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power projects.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/lo-phan-ung-hat-nhan-modun-nho-lua-chon-chien-luoc-20260221092802754.htm
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