The Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant project must be implemented and completed within 5 years, as required by the Prime Minister.
In late November 2024, the National Assembly resolved to restart the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project after an 8-year suspension. According to the Government's plan in late 2009, the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project includes two plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and 2, with a total capacity of 4,000 MW (2x2,000 MW).
In Directive 01 dated January 3, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Minister of Industry and Trade to direct the implementation and completion of the investment in the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant project within 5 years.
Previously, at a press conference in early December 2024, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said that this agency had consulted with the Government and the Prime Minister on the establishment of a Steering Committee and Working Group to continue to launch the nuclear power program in Vietnam.
Currently, the basic legal framework is sufficient to implement this project. At the 8th session, the National Assembly passed the revised Electricity Law, which includes provisions on nuclear power development. Other legal systems related to investment, construction, safety, environmental protection, etc. are also sufficient to implement. In the coming time, the Government plans to report to the National Assembly to amend the Atomic Energy Law with provisions related to the development of this energy source. In addition, in order to be able to implement it, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will soon submit to competent authorities to amend the Electricity Plan VIII.
In the process of preparing for investment, selecting an investor is an important content. This will be the subject implementing the entire process, from research, proposal, construction and operation of the power plant. Regarding the locality, the Ministry has requested the leaders of Ninh Thuan province to study and soon create conditions for a clean site and consensus of the people for the project.
Nuclear power is a green and sustainable source of electricity. Therefore, developing this source of electricity helps diversify supply sources, ensure energy security and green energy transition, achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 as committed at COP26.
In particular, ensuring national energy security, according to the Prime Minister, is a "particularly important political task" in the new era of digital transformation and high-tech development.
In 2025, the Government aims for economic growth of over 8%, laying the foundation for achieving double-digit growth in the 2026-2030 period. With this growth rate, electricity must grow 1.5 times, 6, meaning that each year 8,000-10,000 MW of electricity needs to be added. Meanwhile, the implementation of power source projects still faces many obstacles. In the 2021-2025 period, power source development is expected to reach only 56.7% of the plan. This poses a potential risk of power shortages in the coming period.
"This is a big challenge, so we need quick solutions to develop sources, especially clean power sources," the Prime Minister assessed.
To ensure the growth target, the Prime Minister requested that there must be absolutely no power shortage. The electricity sector must not allow projects and constructions to be stuck due to slow processing of administrative procedures. He assigned the Minister of Industry and Trade to increase inspection, supervision, and tracking of electricity demand developments and arising factors for reporting.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is studying and adjusting the Power Plan VIII to suit the needs. This agency updates and adds new power source projects, green and clean power sources, and eliminates and replaces slow-progressing and unsuitable projects. They must also direct the acceleration of key and urgent projects with LNG power source projects, hydropower, thermal power, and Ninh Thuan nuclear power.
Energy corporations including Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), and Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV) are speeding up investment in power projects to ensure fuel supply.
Specifically, PVN is rushing to construct Nhon Trach 3 and 4 Thermal Power Plants to complete them in June. At the same time, the projects to restart construction of Long Phu I Thermal Power Plant, the Lot B - O Mon Power Project Chain, and the Blue Whale Gas - Power Project Chain must also be accelerated. In addition, PVN needs to complete research soon to deploy a pilot offshore wind power project in 2025.
Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces with power projects and works are required to handle procedures related to forest land and rice land, especially for key and urgent projects.