Expert: nuclear power helps Vietnam ensure energy security

Vietnam should consider nuclear power production to ensure national energy security, according to a Russian expert.

During an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents, Associate Prof. Dr. Pavel A. Belousov from the Russia National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI) said nuclear power is crucial as it has made a significant contribution to the world’s energy supply.

The Da Lat nuclear intitute

Following the Fukushima incident in 2011, some nations without any experience in the field became cautious, but others have actively pursued nuclear power projects because the source ensures a stable supply, minimises environmental impacts and is safe, the expert said.

Vietnam has chosen the Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER) for its first nuclear power plant, which is absolutely suitable for the country, he said.

He highlighted the important role of those involved in ensuring safe nuclear power production, saying that with an expert team of staff, there is no reason to delay nuclear power projects.

Nuclear power should be given priority in the Government’s sustainable development and energy security plans, he said, adding that each Vietnamese should learn more about the power source.

He also stressed the need for increasing awareness of nuclear power among residents in places where nuclear power plants will be based, highlighting the reliability of the most advanced nuclear reactors developed by Rosatom.

Rosatom, Russia’s State Nuclear Energy Corporation, is among the world’s leading nuclear power plant developers, and operates nine nuclear power projects in Russia and 30 others overseas.

MEPhI, established in 1942, is training students from Vietnam, Indonesia, Jordan, Turkey and Bangladesh, among others.

He expressed his belief that the outstanding Vietnamese students among the 300 studying at the university will be capable of operating the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant.

As traditional natural resources near exhaustion, many countries worldwide have turned to nuclear energy as it helps boost socio-economic development, ensure energy security and ease environmental pollution.

According to data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of September 2015, nuclear power plants had been built in 31 countries and territories with a total of 438 reactors that contribute 11.5 percent of the global electricity output. Another 67 reactors are currently under construction.

Vietnam has issued many documents and decisions on developing nuclear power in its national strategy for energy development through 2020 with a vision to 2030.

The National Assembly approved a resolution on investment in the nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan in 2009, and the Prime Minister issued Decision No 906/QD-TTg in 2010 approving the guidelines for developing nuclear power in Vietnam through 2030.

Ninh Thuan has all the necessary conditions for the two nuclear power plants that will have a combined capacity of 1,000 MW using technology from Japan and Russia.