Rosatom commits to advanced-technology Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear plant in Vietnam

THE HANOI TIMES — Russia’s Rosatom Group has committed to cooperating with Vietnam to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant using the most advanced technologies.

The commitment was made by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, at a phone call with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 11 on cooperation in developing the nuclear energy industry, including the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in central Vietnam.

During the call, Chinh called on Rosatom to continue supporting Vietnam in strategic priority projects such as the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant and the nuclear science and technology research center, while focusing on resolving outstanding issues to enable the signing of intergovernmental agreements for project implementation.

He noted that Russia and the former Soviet Union made important contributions to the development of Vietnam’s energy sector, including nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. They helped train generations of leading scientists and experts, laying a critical foundation for Vietnam’s nuclear energy development today.

He reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia and regards the country as one of its top priority partners.

“Vietnam seeks to continue substantive and effective cooperation with Russia across all fields, including nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, for the common interests of both countries and for stability and development in the region and the world,” Chinh said.

He also requested support for human resource training and for strengthening governance and state management capacity in the nuclear energy sector. He further called for cooperation in nuclear-related fields serving public needs, such as nuclear medicine and irradiation.

Chinh instructed relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate closely with Russia and Rosatom to implement specific tasks based on the principle of harmonized interests and shared risks, while complying with the laws of both countries and applicable international conventions.

Rosatom is a leading global nuclear energy corporation with a long history of cooperation with Vietnam.

According to Likhachev, the group is committed to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam to implement high-level agreements reached between the two countries.

Under this cooperation, Rosatom will transfer technology, support the localization of nuclear products in Vietnam and help develop the country’s nuclear science and industry for peaceful purposes and socio-economic development. The group also pledged to work with Vietnamese partners to build nuclear power plants using the most advanced technologies, along with several related projects.

In the near term, the Russian group will send a working delegation to Vietnam to advance cooperation activities, Likhachev said.

Vietnam has restarted the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, which is expected to be completed within five years. Ninh Thuan 1 will be located in Phuoc Dinh Commune, while Ninh Thuan 2 will be built in Vinh Hai Commune in the central province of Khanh Hoa. Vietnam Electricity and PetroVietnam will serve as the respective investors for the two plants.

Vietnam and Russia have recently held technical negotiations toward signing an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in building the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant.

The Vietnamese prime minister has held meetings with the Russian president and prime minister, with both sides reaffirming their determination to accelerate cooperation and move projects toward early implementation to meet Vietnam’s development needs in this critical period.