Vietnam should consider reviving its nuclear power development with appropriate technology to enhance national energy security and support its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, industry experts suggest.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper spoke to several experts on this topic in light of many deputies from the National Assembly (NA) recently suggesting the government resume nuclear power development, which was suspended in November 2016, to ensure national electricity supply sources.

The lawmakers made such suggestions while discussing the draft revised Law on Electricity presented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade during the eighth session of the 15th-tenure NA, which commenced on October 21 in Hanoi.

Nuclear power is a necessity

“Nuclear power discharges zero emissions, therefore using this green power to gradually replace emission-producing power sources, like those generated from coal or gas, will be one of the factors to help Vietnam achieve its net-zero target by 2050," said vice-chairman of the Vietnam Energy Association Nguyen Anh Tuan.

"Nuclear power plants provide a steady and sustainable energy supply with a reliable fuel source, unaffected by international political shifts or the volatile prices of oil, gas, and coal -- critical elements for ensuring national security.

"As coal import prices increase, nuclear power production costs will become more competitive, making nuclear energy more affordable than wind or solar options."

He also claimed that the chances of a nuclear power plant technology having a problem are only 1/10 million, and that nuclear safety mainly relies on the operation stage.

Pham Van Hoa, a member of the NA’s Law Committee, said that the country previously planned to build a nuclear power plant in south-central Ninh Thuan Province, but it was suspended due to many concerns about safety, high investment costs, technological issues, and developments in the global energy situation at that time.

However, the question remains whether the development of nuclear power is a dangerous trend.

In the past, countries turned away from nuclear power plants but are now revisiting them because of the huge demand for green electricity.

Hoa stressed that Vietnam cannot exclude nuclear power from its electricity development planning if it wants to maintain power security.

"If Vietnam were to proceed, the development process would be strict while assessing impacts and ensuring it meets requirements on defense, security, safety, and environmental protection," Hoa said.

“I think that the Ministry of Industry and Trade should soon recommend the government to restart the investment policy to build a nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan as soon as possible to meet the country’s energy demand."

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam's electricity demand by 2030 will double the current capacity, adding that by 2050 it will be five times higher than the present figure.

Meanwhile, there is no longer room to develop traditional power sources, such as coal, hydro, and natural gas power plants, so nuclear power and other new energy supplies must be developed in the future, Dien said.

Nguyen Quang Huan, a member of the NA’s Committee for Science, Technology, and Environment, commented that “nuclear power can be used as a base power, making up for Vietnam's future power shortage.”

The Southeast Asian country is promoting the development of digital technology, which consumes a lot of electricity and requires power safety, so nuclear power is a very good solution.

“Regarding technology, if we cannot master it, we will have to depend a lot on external support. Other countries can develop nuclear power because they master the technologies used,” Huan said.

He also emphasized that "the investment cost for nuclear power is substantial because we need to import the necessary technologies, and ongoing operational costs will hinge on how well we can master those technologies."

Suitable technology needed

Prof. Tran Dinh Long, vice-chairman of the Vietnam Electricity Association, noted that countries struggling with fuel shortages are all turning to nuclear power, a clean energy source with zero emissions, unlike coal and gas power plants.

If Vietnam pursues nuclear energy, Prof. Long stressed two essential requirements: selecting nuclear technology that best aligns with Vietnam’s specific conditions and thoroughly assessing investor commitments.

Huan concurred, adding that nuclear waste storage and disposal need thorough research and evaluation to prevent pollution, alongside careful consideration of related defense and security issues.

Safety is a crucial issue

Dr. Tran Chi Thanh, director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, asserted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will not agree to any country developing nuclear power if they fail to meet safety requirements.

“Only when Vietnam meets the conditions does the IAEA allow the country to engage in developing nuclear power,” Dr. Thanh stressed, adding that the establishment of a nuclear power plant requires a long preparation time, from training operators to building infrastructure and improving legal systems.

Dr. Thanh said on average, a nuclear power plant requires 10-15 years of preparation and investment before it can be put into operation.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, an independent consultant on energy development, stated that only large countries possess nuclear power plant technologies, so if Vietnam builds a nuclear power plant, it must import such technologies.

He explained that modern nuclear power technologies -- now in generations III, III+, and IV -- are designed with robust safety features.

According to him, most safety risks stem from human error rather than the technology itself.

Recent nuclear incidents in places like the former Soviet Union, the U.S., and Japan were primarily caused by operator mistakes or natural disasters, not by flaws in the technology.

Dr. Son suggested that Vietnam should initially focus on building small-scale nuclear power plants of 50 to 150 MW, with a maximum of 300 MW, as a pilot project.

This approach would allow the country to gain operational experience and ramp up workforce training before committing to larger-scale nuclear investments.

If Vietnam moves forward with nuclear power, he noted that Ninh Thuan remains a viable location due to extensive prior research conducted there.

While the initial investment cost for a nuclear plant is significantly higher than that for coal, gas, solar, or wind power plants, he highlighted that nuclear’s operating costs are comparatively lower.

Nuclear power regulations required 

The draft revised Law on Electricity has been supplemented with provisions on nuclear power, said Hoang Duc Chinh, an agricultural economic expert and an NA deputy, who also commented that this marks an important step in the country’s energy orientation.

To ensure nuclear power sustainability, it is necessary to develop clear provisions on investment, management, and operation that will form a legal basis for future development.

The law should include clear regulations on managing radioactive waste to ensure community and environmental safety during nuclear power plant projects, addressing public concerns and fostering social consensus.

Following Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son’s direction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is consulting with the Ninh Thuan People's Committee and other relevant agencies to develop a draft nuclear power development plan for Vietnam, drawing on international expertise.

After completing the draft, the ministry will submit it to the government for consideration before presenting it to the Politburo for approval.

Moreover, the draft revised Law on Electricity should also include a provision on the state's monopoly on nuclear power development, and on the prime minister’s authority to stipulate a specific mechanism for investment, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants.

Nuclear power development around the world 

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s data in late August, 415 nuclear power reactors are operating globally with a total installed capacity of about 373,735MW and 62 reactors capable of about 64,971MW under construction.

Nuclear power plants account for about 10 percent of the total electricity produced worldwide and play an important role in the power structure of many countries.

Thirty-two countries own and operate nuclear power plants while about twenty others are mulling over developing nuclear power to meet their energy needs and realize their climate commitments.

At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), twenty-two countries, including the U.S., Japan, the UK, France, and Canada, signed a declaration to triple the installed capacity of nuclear power plants by 2050.

In May 2024, the Swedish Energy Agency granted US$4.7 million to a nuclear project to develop a Generation IV nuclear power system and rebuild national expertise in nuclear technology.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are planning to build nuclear power plants.

Meanwhile, China is also implementing a nuclear power program to meet its goal of becoming the world leader in nuclear power generation capacity by 2030.

China aims to reach a total nuclear power operating capacity of about 180 GW by 2035.

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