The first nuclear power plant can be operated as soon as possible after 2030

Vietnam restarted the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, expected to be completed in 5 years. In particular, Ninh Thuan 1 factory is located in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district. Ninh Thuan 2 Factory is located in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district. Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), National Energy Industry (PVN) in turn investors these two factories.

At the draft, the National Power Development Development adjustment in the period of 2021-2030 (Electricity planning VIII), the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed two scenarios on power structure. Accordingly, the operating time (electricity generation) of nuclear power plants is expected to follow two options.

With the basic scenario, Ninh Thuan I (2×1.200 MW) nuclear power plant operates in the period of 2031-2035, Ninh Thuan II (2×1.200 MW) operating in the period of 2036-2040.

As for the high scenario, both Ninh Thuan I and II nuclear power plants (4×1,200 MW) operate in the period 2031-2035.

It is expected that two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan will have a total capacity of 4 4,800 MW units. This number is 800 MW higher than the Government’s plan in late 2009. After 2030, the operator also plans to develop the transmission grid to connect and relieve capacity from nuclear power plants.

Earlier, the Prime Minister requested urgently deploying and completing the construction of Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant in 2030. Thus, with the above scenarios, Vietnam can operate the first nuclear power plant. The earliest 2031 and the latest at 2035.

As a rule, the nuclear power plant must have a test stage before refueling into the nuclear reactor. The trial operation must be performed simultaneously with the inspection of technical indicators. Radiation and nuclear safety agencies will evaluate the test results report and safety analysis report. After that, they will propose the National Nuclear Safety Council to appraise the granting of official operating licenses.

Last year, the total installation capacity of the electricity system was about 85,000 MW. By 2030, the power system capacity should reach about 150,000 MW, then increase to 400,000 – 500,000 MW in 2050, according to the VIII Electrical Plan.

Not to mention, Vietnam aims to grow economic growth over 8% this year and two digits in the following years. That is, the demand for electricity growth is about 12-14%annually. Therefore, the development of nuclear power will help Vietnam diversify supply, ensure energy security and achieve economic growth goals, net emissions of zero (net zero) in 2050 as committed at COP26.

The nuclear power source (including small -scale nuclear electricity SMR) must be placed in potential positions due to specially related to safety, regional geology and the burial of nuclear waste.

Therefore, limiting the potential for nuclear power development, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, it can be considered for construction in 3 regions, including the South Central Coast (about 25-30 GW), Central Central (about 10 GW) and the North Central (about 4-5 GW).

Currently, two locations of Phuoc Dinh and Vinh Hai (Ninh Thuan) have published the planning of the construction site of a nuclear power plant. Two locations in Quang Ngai, 1 in Binh Dinh are also considered as a potential place to develop 4 large -scale nuclear electrical units. However, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, because there is no planning, after 10 years, these locations need to review and re -evaluate.

This ministry calculated that by 2050, Vietnam will appear with 5 GW of nuclear power in the North Central Coast, in addition to 4,800 MW of the committed nuclear power source in Ninh Thuan. In addition, the energy source from the mixed and liquefied gas pattern (LNG) will have an additional 8.4 GW. Wind power, solar power and storage battery continues to increase compared to the current VIII power plan.