Vietnam to consider nuclear power as primary source, expedite offshore wind projects

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has been tasked with studying development of nuclear power as a primary energy source, according to a document released by the Government Office on Thursday.

The document stipulates that the ministry (MoIT) must comprehensively review the sources of energy stipulated in the national power development plan VIII (PDP VIII) to ensure energy security and annual power supply growth of 12-15%, given economic growth projections of over 7% per year in case the U.S. Fed cuts rates.

A possible solution is to switch from coal-fired to gas-fired power as a primary power source, while nuclear power is also an option, it says. The nuclear option is subject to approval of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body in Vietnam.

The MoIT was also asked to cooperate with local authorities, Petrovietnam, and Vietnam Electricity (EVN) to soon complete the draft amended Law on Electricity.

For issues like pricing and technical requirements, a suitable option is to set basic principles in the law and let the government set details, the document notes.

A working group was established to fix legal issues regarding implementation of power projects, led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. Petrovietnam chairman Le Manh Hung and EVN chairman Dang Hoang An will be vice heads.

The working group must complete the draft amended Law on Electricity by September 20 and submit it to the National Assembly for approval in the upcoming plenum due to convene next month.

Regarding a pilot scheme to deploy offshore wind power projects per a new Politburo decision for the oil and gas sector, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son was asked to assign agencies to deploy the scheme immediately, while challenges related to pricing and output could be discussed later.

In 2009, Vietnam approved a 4,000-MW Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant project, with Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 facilities. In November 2016, the National Assembly put the project on hold. Since then, the south-central province of Ninh Thuan has been developing into a renewable energy hub.