Vietnam: The Government assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to research and develop nuclear power.

In the announcement of the conclusion of the Government Standing Committee on removing difficulties for offshore wind and gas power projects, the Ministry of Industry and Trade was assigned to review all power sources in the Plan to implement the National Power Development Plan to 2030 (Power Plan VIII).

According to the Government Standing Committee, Vietnam is aiming to shift its primary energy source from coal to gas, prioritizing domestic production to achieve 12-15% growth per year, ensuring national energy security. Therefore, in addition to current energy sources, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is assigned to study the experience of developing nuclear power in countries around the world to propose developing this type of energy in Vietnam in the coming time. On that basis, the Government will report to the Politburo for consideration and decision.

Research and development of nuclear power can help supplement the base power source and minimize environmental risks, according to the Government’s conclusion.

Nuclear power development is not currently mentioned in the Power Plan VIII. However, in the report sent to ministries and sectors requesting comments on the draft revision of this plan, the Ministry of Industry and Trade mentioned the development of small nuclear power plants (SMR).

According to the Ministry, the small modular reactors have a capacity of about 300 MW each, one-third of the output of traditional reactors. These plants produce low-carbon electricity with a short construction time (about 24-36 months). This will help increase the efficiency of renewable energy sources, contribute to the clean energy transition, and help countries achieve sustainable development goals.

32 countries in the world are using nuclear energy to generate electricity. This level is equal to 9.1% of the world’s electricity last year. Therefore, this agency believes that “it is possible to consider” researching and developing small-scale nuclear reactors, including future floating nuclear power plants, in Vietnam.

Previously, Vietnam had planned to build a nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan, but this project was stopped according to the decision in Resolution 31 of the National Assembly in 2016. In 2022, when supervising the implementation of this resolution of the National Assembly, the Economic Committee proposed to consider developing this type of energy based on a full, scientific, and accurate assessment of the current situation and forecast of energy supply and demand.

The draft Electricity Law (amended) currently seeking opinions also mentions the development of nuclear power. Accordingly, nuclear power is one of the new types of energy. The State has the exclusive right to invest in the construction of this type of power project, in addition to projects on sources, emergency power grids, and power system dispatching.

According to the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment – the agency reviewing the draft Law on Electricity (amended) – there is an opinion that Vietnam has the potential to develop nuclear power and has made basic initial preparations in the past. In the context of the world returning to investment, the development of this energy source becomes important. On the other hand, nuclear power is considered an important option to ensure energy security and achieve the net zero target by 2050, as committed by the Government.

However, the Standing Committee believes that the provisions on nuclear power in the draft law need to be carefully studied. The principle provisions on this type of power source need to be referred to the Atomic Energy Law. In addition, the drafting agency also needs to provide political, scientific, technological and technical bases to support the implementation of nuclear power projects.