Rosatom pledges cooperation on Vietnam's nuclear power plant

Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has pledged to work with Vietnam to develop the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant using "the most advanced technologies".

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Thursday held phone talks with Rosatom general director Alexey Likhachev to discuss cooperation in nuclear energy development, including the Ninh Thuan 1 plant.

Likhachev said Rosatom, which has a long history of cooperation with Vietnam, would push ahead with commitments reached between the two countries’ top leaders.

Rosatom would transfer technology, localize nuclear components in Vietnam, and support the country in building its nuclear science and industry for peaceful and socio-economic development, the executive was quoted by the Vietnamese government's news portal as saying.

He added that Rosatom is ready to partner with Vietnam to build a nuclear plant with the most modern technologies, along with several other projects. “In the near term, Rosatom will send a working delegation to Vietnam to advance the agreed areas of cooperation.”

Vietnam has restarted preparations for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power program, with completion targeted in five years.

The Ninh Thuan 1 plant will be located in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district, while Ninh Thuan 2 will be built in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, both in the former Ninh Thuan province.

Ninh Thuan in July was merged into Khanh Hoa province to form the new Khanh Hoa, home to the famous bays of Nha Trang and Cam Ranh.

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Petrovietnam (PVN) are investors of the two plants, respectively.

In recent months, Vietnam and Russia have held technical discussions aimed at concluding an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation for Ninh Thuan 1.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister has met the Russian President and Prime Minister, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to accelerating joint projects to meet Vietnam’s development needs at a critical stage.

During the call, Chinh said Russia and the former Soviet Union had made significant contributions to Vietnam’s energy sector, including peaceful nuclear energy, and had trained generations of scientists and experts who now underpin Vietnam’s nuclear-industry capabilities.

Chinh urged Rosatom to continue supporting Vietnam in key strategic projects such as Ninh Thuan 1 and the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology, and resolve outstanding issues so that agreements and intergovernmental deals can be finalized.

He asked Rosatom to help Vietnam train nuclear-industry personnel, strengthen state-management capabilities, and explore investment cooperation in other peaceful nuclear applications such as nuclear medicine and irradiation technology.

The Prime Minister noted Vietnam regards Russia as a top priority in its comprehensive strategic partnership and seeks substantive, effective cooperation across all fields, including peaceful nuclear energy, for the benefit of both countries and regional stability.

He instructed relevant ministries and agencies to work closely with Russia and Rosatom to carry out specific tasks based on the principle of “harmonized interests and shared risks” and in compliance with the laws of both countries and relevant international conventions.

The Politburo, Vietnam's highest decision-making body, has requested early implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power projects and putting them into operation in the 2030-2035 period.

Under its Resolution 70, dated August 20, on ensuring national energy security until 2030, with a vision to 2045, the Politburo orders early execution of the projects with suitable partners, ensuring the highest interests of Vietnam while taking into account previous agreements.

The government said nuclear energy development, along with other power sources, is essential to ensure energy security and double-digit economic growth in the coming years. Vietnam has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, requiring a shift to clean, renewable and low-carbon energy.