Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assesses that developing nuclear power and building nuclear power plants - key national projects - is big issue, national matter, difficult and sensitive issue, so it requires high focus, investment of effort, and intelligence, and mobilization of entire political system.

On the morning of February 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Steering Committee for the construction of nuclear power plants, chaired the second meeting of the Steering Committee.

NTPP consists of 2 plants, and each plant has 2 units. Ninh Thuan 1 plant is located in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district. Ninh Thuan 2 plant is located in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district.

Prime Minister assigns EVN to be investor of Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant, Petrovietnam to be investor of Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant.

At the meeting, the Steering Committee reviewed the assigned tasks after the first meeting and discussed and gave comments on developing a specific plan to implement the construction of the nuclear power plant.

In which, clearly defines the goals, roadmap; and tasks that members of the Steering Committee, each ministry, branch, and locality shall perform in infrastructure development, resettlement, technology transfer, human resource training; identify investors, capital sources, policy mechanisms, problems and difficulties that need to be resolved, and so on.

According to reports and opinions at the meeting, after the first meeting (January 15) of the Steering Committee, many tasks have been implemented. Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is reviewing and adjusting the Power Plan VIII, including the supplementation of NTPP and researching and planning the development of new nuclear power plants; reporting it to competent authorities for the policy of re-negotiating with foreign partners.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is proposing to amend the Law on Atomic Energy; develop a special national science and technology research program on nuclear technology and safety; and develop a plan to train and foster human resources to serve nuclear power development.

Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee has established the Provincial Steering Committee and a working group to assist the Steering Committee, issued a plan to implement the province's tasks, and so on.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son speaking at meeting

Strive to complete before December 31, 2030

In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that developing nuclear power and building nuclear power plants - key national projects - is a big issue, a national matter, a difficult and sensitive issue, so it requires high focus, investment in effort and intelligence, and the mobilization of the entire political system.

The Prime Minister commended and requested members of the Steering Committee, ministries, branches, agencies, and localities to continue working urgently in implementing the project; develop a 5-year plan, and an annual plan, and complete specific tasks within each time frame.

The Prime Minister requested all the related units to urgently complete and add more members to the Steering Committee, and establish a Working Group at MOIT, including experts, operating according to the motto of streamlining, closeness, professionalism, and specialization.

Minister, Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son speaks at the meeting

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaks at the meeting

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat speaks at the meeting

Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee Tran Quoc Nam speaks at the meeting

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at the meeting

EVN Chairman of the Board of Directors Dang Hoang An speaks at the meeting

PVN Chairman Le Manh Hung speaks at the meeting

Regarding progress, the Prime Minister stated that the project completion time must be shortened compared to the previous plan, by December 31, 2031, at the latest and strive to complete before December 31, 2030, on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the country and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party. Ministries, branches, localities, and agencies must build a progress-critical path according to this target.

The Prime Minister assigned EVN to be the investor of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project, and Petrovietnam to be the investor of the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant project.

Regarding the selection of foreign partners to participate in the project, the Prime Minister stated that, in accordance with the Central Committee's Conclusion, the National Assembly's Resolution, and the Politburo's direction, EVN, Petrovietnam, and other agencies must send a working delegation to negotiate with foreign partners in February, paying attention to having backup partners to be ready in all situations.

Determining the scale, capacity, and total investment of factories are determined based on negotiations with partners and updated in accordance with the new situation, from which competent authorities will consider and decide.

Regarding human resources, the Prime Minister requested the related units to urgently review and gather people who have been trained in the field of nuclear power and related fields, provide additional training, and have mechanisms and policies to attract human resources, in which it is necessary to pay attention to the Manager-in-chief and Chief Engineer of the project.

The Prime Minister directed the capital allocation for the project, including the use of reserve capital for 2025, and the procedures to use this capital before February 15. The Prime Minister also emphasized that the most important thing in selecting a contractor, whether by appointment or bidding, is to work transparently, for the common good, ensuring publicity, transparency, and preventing corruption and negativity.

Prime Minister states that project completion time shall be shortened compared to previous plan, by December 31, 2031, at the latest and strive to complete before December 31, 2030, on occasion of 85th anniversary of country's founding and 100th anniversary of Party's founding

The Prime Minister requested MOIT to urgently submit the draft of the revised Power Plan VIII related to nuclear power, to be completed before February 28, 2025. The Prime Minister noted that planning work shall be considered the overall national interests, ensuring fairness, social progress, and appropriate balance among localities and regions, but with priority given to the arrangement of key energy projects in difficult areas.

MOIT, together with relevant ministries, branches, and corporations, shall do a good job of communication and propaganda, ensuring publicity and transparency for people to monitor and create consensus in public opinion.

Translator: Mạnh Hùng