Hanoi (VNA) –🧜 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested competent authorities to accelerate the development of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant project while chairing the second meeting of the steering committee for nuclear power plant construction on February 4.

The revival of the Ninh Thuan nuclear project, which was initially approved by the 12th National Assembly in 2009 but suspended in 2016, marks a significant shift in Vietnam's energy strategy. The project, comprising two plants with a combined capacity exceeding 4,000 MW, then received in-principle approvals from the Party Central Committee and National Assembly in late 2024. Asking ministries and sectors to ramp up efforts to complete legal institutions related to nuclear power, including the amendments to the Law on Atomic Energy, the Government leader stressed that time, wisdom, and decisiveness will determine all victories. Along with the prevention of corruption and negative phenomena, special policy mechanisms must be sketched out to enable the fastest and most efficient implementation of the project. They must be completed on February 15, 2025 as the latest for the Ministry of Industry and Trade to compile and submit to the Government for approval. Besides, adjustments to the National Power Development Plan VIII must be finalised by February 28, he stated. Setting December 31, 2030 as the date for completing the plants, with December 31, 2031 at the latest, the PM ordered the creation of a schedule to achieve the target, with clear tasks to relevant ministries, sectors and localities. Additionally, he laid stress on the significance to negotiate with partners regarding technology, investment, and mechanisms to attract human resources for nuclear power development. The Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) were designated as the investors of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plants 1 and 2. The project, a national priority infrastructure development, will initially utilise the 2025 contingency fund while additional funding sources are being explored, PM Chinh said. He ordered the south central province of Ninh Thuan to expedite the site clearance and resettlement work to stabilise local livelihoods, production and business this year while joining hands with ministries, sectors, agencies, and enterprises to upgrade the Thanh Son Airport to serve both military and civilian purposes, supporting the nuclear power plant project and regional socio-economic development. Furthermore, PM Chinh requested coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency on related issues, feasibility study assessments, enhanced communications work, and monthly meetings of the steering committee to monitor progress and address challenges promptly./.