Vietnam to build Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant within 5 years

Vietnam strives to complete building its Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant in five years (by 2030), towards the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (1930-2030).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the National Steering Committee on building nuclear power plants, announced the target at a Wednesday meeting of the committee.

The Prime Minister highlighted that nuclear power development with an annual growth of 15-18% is inevitable to facilitate the country's yearly economic growth of at least 10%.

"Nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, such as energy and healthcare, can help the country achieve leapfrog growth in the 'new era',” he added.

State utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) must assess the country's nuclear power workforce, currently at about 400 people, to prepare training programs.

Chinh also requested Ninh Thuan province to prepare infrastructure for the project, like investing in or calling for investments in Thanh Son airport.

In 2005, Vietnam's Party Central Committee had greenlighted a plan to build two nuclear power plants in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan. Four years later, the parliament approved the plan with an initial investment of VND200 trillion ($7.9 billion at the current forex rate).

In November 2016, the parliament decided to halt the 4,000 MW project, citing safety, funding and technology reasons. In November 2024, it agreed to resume the nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan after an eight-year suspension.

In January 2024, EVN urged the Prime Minister to assign it as investor of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long said the ministry is drafting a proposal to assign EVN as the nuclear power developer in the country.