Brian Jeffrey
Impact of the Nuclear Power Project Suspension
The Vietnamese government’s halt of the nuclear power initiative prompted a request for feedback from various agencies regarding its economic consequences.
One significant effect that stands out is on the workforce we developed. We trained many workers overseas and local universities launched new nuclear-related programs, attracting many students.
Approximately 300-400 workers were sent to Russia and Japan for training, but due to the project’s suspension, they found themselves in jobs outside their areas of expertise.
If the project isn’t revived soon, we risk a shortage of skilled workers when the time comes, necessitating a complete retraining process, which would be inefficient.
Currently, we can still utilize the workforce trained years ago.
Additionally, we retain a group of qualified experts who can effectively advise the government on advancing nuclear power capabilities.
We also have skilled Vietnamese professionals abroad who are eager to contribute to the project’s development. The government must create fair policies to engage both domestic and international experts.
Future Prospects for Vietnam’s Nuclear Power
In line with guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and informed by past experiences, I believe that if Vietnam reinitiates the nuclear project by 2025 and follows a steady path, we could see operational nuclear power within ten years.
Choosing the Right Technology
As Vietnam contemplates reinstating its nuclear power initiative, selecting the appropriate technology remains a critical decision.
When we previously worked on the project, we established criteria for technology selection.
A key requirement was that the technologies should be globally recognized as effective and safe, meaning they must have operated successfully for an established period.
While numerous designs for small and medium reactors exist, none are currently functioning. Verifying the performance of any new reactor designs could take several decades. Therefore, it is prudent to focus on established technologies.
We should consider large-capacity water-cooled reactors from Generation 3+ or Generation 4, known for their enhanced safety standards and proven utilization in several countries.
Russia has constructed facilities domestically and for others like Turkey and Bangladesh, while South Korea has built reactors for the UAE.
Bangladesh initiated its nuclear program after Vietnam but has advanced more rapidly. They have followed a methodical approach, providing a valuable example for us to learn from.
Considerations on Nuclear Power Proportions
Several factors differentiate European countries from Vietnam; they generally have smaller populations and may only require a few power generation units, simplifying their success in adopting nuclear energy.
However, an excessive reliance on nuclear power carries risks. Operational halts due to accidents at nuclear plants can lead to energy insecurity.
Japan had initially aimed to increase its nuclear energy share to over 50%, but post-Fukushima, revised its target to just 20%, with actual figures dropping to 5.5% in 2022, down from a previous high of 25% before the disaster.
Vietnam must critically consider its approach to nuclear energy proportions. This could influence the ongoing discussions surrounding amendments in the Electricity Law or future national energy development strategies.
