Comprehensive capacity preparation

Nuclear power has the advantage of being a large-scale baseload power source that can operate stably regardless of weather conditions while producing low greenhouse gas emissions. A nuclear power plant can operate for approximately 7,000–8,000 hours per year, with an availability factor of over 85–90%. These are important characteristics as the power system increasingly integrates a high proportion of weather-dependent and variable renewable energy sources.

For the Ninh Thuan 1 project, EVN recognizes that the project is not simply about building a power plant, but must simultaneously address three requirements: constructing a safe, high-quality and efficient plant; ensuring synchronized connection to the national power system; and creating spillover effects in science and technology, human resources and domestic supply chains.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Minh, Deputy Head of EVN’s Construction Investment Management Board, presented EVN’s paper at scientific workshop “Developing nuclear power for green growth and national energy security,” held on September 21 in Khanh Hoa.

Based on these requirements, EVN has identified six key areas of responsibility in implementing the project. The first is managing the entire project life cycle. EVN will undertake activities ranging from document preparation, surveys and design to procurement, manufacturing, construction, installation, commissioning and acceptance. Once the plant begins generating electricity, responsibilities will shift to operation, maintenance, repair and upgrades to ensure that the facility continues to operate safely, reliably and efficiently.

Throughout this process, nuclear safety and security are paramount. EVN’s paper emphasizes that these are the highest priorities in every decision made by the investor and operator. This requires a safety culture to be established from the project preparation stage, rather than waiting until the plant begins operation.

Alongside technology, human resources are one of the determining factors for the plant’s future operational capabilities. EVN will prepare project management personnel, safety experts, operating engineers, maintenance personnel, quality control staff, security personnel, medical staff, and emergency response personnel for each stage. The human resource challenge is not simply about training sufficient personnel. Another important task is acquiring and retaining nuclear knowledge, from technical documentation and design data to operational experience. This will provide a foundation for EVN to gradually strengthen its capability to master the technology, rather than simply receiving a completed facility.

In parallel with plant construction, EVN will coordinate the preparation of grid connection infrastructure, transmission facilities and the necessary technical conditions to ensure that Ninh Thuan 1 can be safely and reliably integrated into the national power system.

The project also presents an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to gradually participate in the domestic supply chain. The orientation toward 2035 is to strive for domestic enterprises to account for approximately 30% of the total investment in construction and installation items under the “ancillary works” of the nuclear power project. However, EVN has established a clear principle: localization must be based on actual capabilities and an appropriate roadmap, without compromising safety, quality, or reliability requirements in order to increase domestic participation.

The final component among the six responsibility areas is information and public consensus. For a highly technical field such as nuclear power, EVN considers it essential that project information be comprehensive, accurate, timely, and transparent. Issues of public concern, such as safety, nuclear security, the environment, project schedules and emergency response plans, need to be proactively communicated and addressed. In this way, communication is not merely about reporting on the project but also becomes part of the process of building public trust and a safety culture within the community.

Linking project with local development

Once commissioned, Ninh Thuan 1 will provide a large-scale, stable and long-term baseload power source for the national power system, contributing to improved supply-demand balancing, enhanced electricity supply reliability and the integration of variable renewable energy sources. For Khanh Hoa and the South Central region, a stable power supply will create additional conditions to meet the development needs of industry, services, urban areas, tourism, the marine economy and other major electricity loads.

Scientific workshop “Developing Nuclear Power for Green Growth and National Energy Security” was jointly organized by Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee and relevant agencies.

Within the scope of its responsibilities, EVN will provide information on the project’s scale, technical standards, usage requirements and implementation schedule, enabling ministries, sectors, Khanh Hoa Province and competent authorities to formulate appropriate investment plans.

Another expected impact is the development of a highly skilled technical workforce and a business ecosystem serving the nuclear power sector. Demand for engineers, experts, construction and installation workers, maintenance personnel, logistics, training and professional services will create additional opportunities for local businesses and workers to enhance their capabilities and gradually participate in new value chains. This is also why EVN places human resource and supply chain development in direct connection with local development, rather than considering these solely as internal responsibilities of the project investor.

Alongside infrastructure and human resources, the interests of people in the project area are another factor to which EVN is paying particular attention. The Group believes that the project can only be implemented sustainably when it is aligned with the legitimate interests of the community. Coordination in providing information and supporting compensation, assistance, resettlement, social welfare and livelihood development must therefore be carried out in parallel with project implementation.

The Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Project is not only an important national power generation project but also provides a foundation for EVN to gradually develop and master nuclear power management and operation capabilities, contributing to sustainable development in Khanh Hoa Province, the South Central region and the country as a whole.

Promoting the leading role of EVN and Petrovietnam in nuclear power development

Mr. Ngo Dong Hai – Member of Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission

In his concluding remarks at the workshop, Mr. Ngo Dong Hai, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, emphasized that building a nuclear safety culture and strengthening state management capacity, together with the leading role of corporations such as EVN and Petrovietnam, are key foundations for ensuring that nuclear power projects are implemented with the highest level of safety and on schedule.

Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Ngo Dong Hai called on ministries, sectors, research institutes and economic groups to continue close coordination, improve the legal framework, prepare high-quality human resources and technical infrastructure, and ensure the best possible conditions for the project to be implemented according to the planned roadmap with the highest level of safety.

According to the Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, nuclear power development can only succeed with broad social consensus and strong public confidence. Information and communication efforts should clarify the safety, socio-economic benefits and national importance of the project, provide objective and accessible information, and prevent gaps in public understanding and the spread of misinformation.

Translator: Vân Ly