Construction Of Vietnam’s First Nuclear Power Plant Postponed

Science and Technology Minister Nguyen Quan said construction of Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant may not begin this year and could be delayed for another two to three years.

The delay is due to the development of additional safety measures for the plant planned in central Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Nguyen said that by the end of the year, Vietnam will evaluate a feasibility study, select a location for the plant and invite bids for design and construction next year.

Officials anticipate the nuclear power reactor will begin operations in 2025.

Science and Technology Deputy Minister Le Dinh Tien said at the 5th annual Nuclear Power Asia 2014 conference here Monday that like other emerging nuclear power nations, Vietnam faced key challenges in developing its nuclear power programme.

The challenges include post-Fukushima concerns, safety measures, public acceptance, creating a regulatory framework, project licensing and financing, human resource development, technology advancement and application.

“Vietnam has been actively preparing facilities and completing a regulatory framework for its nuclear power plants,” Tien said.

In 2009, the National Assembly passed a resolution on investment in Ninh Thuan nuclear power projects with the first nuclear power plant set to be completed in 2020.