VN to have nuclear power plant in 2020

By 2050, the nuclear energy will account for 15-20% of the country’s total electricity productivity, he said.

Currently, Việt Nam is importing electricity from China and conducting feasibility studies of some hydro-electricity projects in Laos to raise the national grid capacity.

Meanwhile, the country also considers nuclear power development as an important direction to enrich electricity sources for the national economy.

Mr. Didier Kechemain from the French Atomic Energy Commission noted that Việt Nam’s strategy for nuclear power development is provident and necessary, which was outlined on the basis of the growing economy and the independence of electricity production.

Mr. Othman Salhi, Vice President for Asia of the AREVA said that Việt Nam should pay great attention to the locations of atomic projects, the compatibility of these projects with the national grid, and other industrial dimensions.

According to Mr. Bernard Sentex from the Electricity Department of France (EDF), it takes around two years for feasible studying, five years for planning, choosing contractors, etc., and another five years extra for detailed designing, constructing and piloting before officially putting a nuclear power plant into operation.

As one of the four biggest nuclear power producers, France would provide useful experience to Việt Nam in its initial steps to build the first nuclear power plant in the coming time, said Mr. Hào.

Analysts have pointed out another key issue that Việt Nam currently facing is how to produce qualified and adequate manpower to serve in the nuclear power sector. One of the best solutions is to train the manpower on the spot, suggested Mr. Bernard Sentex.

French Ambassador to Việt Nam Herve Bolot has also confirmed that France is willing to help Việt Nam in HR training for the sector.

By Hải Minh