Vietnam needs to develop nuclear power for energy security purposes
For Vietnam, research to build nuclear power plants is based on their following advantages: Diversified energy sources, mainly on base capacity, making up a large and stable proportion, ensuring energy security, and meeting power demand for socio-economic development, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, when most potentials of hydropower and fossil fuels have been exploited up; ensuring the economic aspects when competing with imported fuels, ensuring fuel reserves for many years and free of dependence on fuel transportation.
Based on nuclear power development in the world and implementation of Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW dated 11 February 2020 of the Politburo, the author of the article would like to propose and recommend to relevant authorities, and consulting units in setting up Power Development Master Plan VIII with the following contents:
Firstly, based on the statistics of the world's power sources, all countries maintain the target of diversifying energy sources, rationally distributing the structure of energy sources, ensuring national interests and energy security. The planning authorities and consulting units need to calculate the priority order and the proportion of energy sources in the total energy supply for the Plan in phases, developing the power source structure coordinately.
To accurately calculate the time for putting into operation of major power sources in adjusted Power Plan VII to be included in Power Plan VIII. In the structure of power sources to ensure stable power supply, it is necessary to include all source components in the Power Development Master Plan VIII: LNG power, nuclear power, coal-fired power, hydropower and calculate their reasonable proportion.
Secondly, it is suggested that the Government be maintaining the locations of Phuoc Dinh (Nuclear Power Project Ninh Thuan 1) and Vinh Hai (Nuclear Power Project Ninh Thuan 2) in Ninh Thuan province for future nuclear power development.
To review the remaining sites (six locations out of eight ones as planned in Decision No. 906/QD-TTg dated 17 June 2010 of the Prime Minister), which have been studied on site. Therefore, it is necessary to have a plan to use it in accordance with the socio-economic development plans of the provinces and localities where project plans are selected.
Thirdly, to complete the system of legal documents on nuclear power for appraisal and approval of sites for construction of nuclear power plants. In the coming time, the Government will continue directing the research, construction, and amendment of legal documents governing the construction of nuclear power plants such as the amendment of the Law on Atomic Energy and other related documents, and so on.
Fourthly, it is necessary to develop mechanisms and policies on employing graduates of nuclear power specialty, with special priority to graduates with excellent degree and advanced training. This is a valuable human resource (HR) serving research and development of science and technology on radiation and nuclear safety. At the same time, it is necessary to study and reconstruct a long-term HR training plan for the nuclear power development program.
Fifthly, to continue to propagate about nuclear power, to provide full and regular information on mass media, increase understanding of the needs and benefits of nuclear power, create support and consensus of society about Vietnam's nuclear power development program.