Russia helping Vietnam build first nuke plant

NINH THUAN, VIETNAM - With growing concerns about electricity demand and the decreasing availability of fossil fuels, Vietnam is taking significant steps to secure energy.

After massive restructuring of the electric power sector began in 2003, Vietnamese power researchers determined that Vietnam will require at least 300,000 gigawatt-hours GWh by 2020, and about 550,000 GWh by 2030. With existing power plants, the country would be able to produce only half of the energy needed by 2030.

Renewable energy investments have come a long way in providing Vietnam with green energy, but Vietnam is stepping up its game significantly to provide industrial, commercial and residential consumers with clean energy.

The Vietnam National Assembly gave the go-ahead to utilize nuclear power, and Vietnam plans to construct eight nuclear power plants in eight different provinces by 2030. This decision also was made because Vietnam's neighbors, such as Thailand and Indonesia, have shown interest in developing nuclear power plants. By the time the eighth is commissioned, nuclear power will account for 15 gigawatts GW, or 10 of the total installed capacity.

Earlier in the year, Vietnamese representatives attended the International Conference on Approaching Civil Nuclear Power in Paris, France, to garner information about human resources and technology. Many students from Vietnam also have been attending French universities to receive degrees in the fields of nuclear physics and nuclear power. The French Nuclear Committee awarded at least 100 Vietnamese students with post-doctorate degrees last year.

The first of Vietnam's nuclear power plants is being planned for Ninh Thuan Province, which is about 1,000 kilometers south of Hanoi. As of now, construction is expected to commence in 2014 and finish sometime in 2020. The massive $20 billion plant is anticipated to produce 4,000 megawatts MW when commissioned.

Rosatom Nuclear Energy State Corporation will be aiding Vietnam in the construction of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant. Russia and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding last December that said Rosatom, along with several other Russian companies, would assist Vietnam in constructing various power plants and revitalizing Vietnam's electric power sector. The two countries are expected to sign the deal during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Hanoi, which began with his arrival in Vietnam on October 30.