International Atomic Energy Agency
Workshop on Topical Issues on
Infrastructure Development:
Managing the Development of a National
Infrastructure for Nuclear Power
Vienna, 09-12 Feb. 2010
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An Overview on
Building up National Infrastructure
on the Way to Introduce
Nuclear Power into Vietnam
Le Thi Kim Dung
Deputy Director, Division of Licensing
Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS)
2
Table of Contents
I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of Atomic
Energy Applications in Vietnam
III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure in Vietnam
IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned
3
Map of Vietnam
Capital:
Hanoi
Area:
331,690 km2
Population:
86 mil. (2009)
Coastal line:
3,260 km
GDP (PPP):
@2,800 $
4
I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
Based on national strategy on industrialization,
modernization and socio-economic development of
the country:
1. All scenarios on energy demand have been
studied intensively, comprehensively and
systematically, then discussed and debated from
working to policy-maker levels since 1990’s;
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I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
2. According to research results, the electricity
demand under the base scenario (with GDP growth
rate of 7.1%-7.2%/year for the 2001-2020 period)
will be 201 billion kWh by 2020 and 327 billion
kWh by 2030.
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I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
3. Meanwhile, domestic conventional energy sources
(hydro, coal, oil & gas, renewable) can supply only
165 billion kWh by 2020 and 208 billion kWh by
2030. In other words, according to the base
scenario, our country will run short of 36 billion
kWh by 2020 and nearly 119 billion kWh by 2030.
The increasing shortage of electricity supply will
continue in the subsequent periods.
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I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
4. To settle the demand-supply balance, the following
options have continued to be studied to compare
and consider, namely:
• Import electricity from the neighboring countries;
• Import coal, oil & gas for electricity production;
and
• Introduce nuclear power.
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I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
5. Research results have also pointed out nuclear
power is more advantageous than the other options
in terms of economics, environment, energy
security, and optimal mix.
9
I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
As a result, after a long process of comprehensive
and systematic study and intensive discussion, a
well-informed decision has been officially made,
that is:
Nuclear power should be introduced in
the country.
10
I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam
The decision to introduce nuclear power into
Vietnam was officially stated clearly and openly in
02 following important documents:
1. Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to
2020 (Jan. 2006, by Prime Minister), in which
nuclear power is a main component in the Strategy);
and
2. Strategy for Energy Development up to 2020, with a
vision to 2050 (Dec. 2007, by Prime Minister);
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II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of
Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam
Guiding and Consistent Viewpoints in the National
Policy and Strategy for the Development of Atomic
Energy Applications in Vietnam are:
1. Vietnam uses atomic energy for peaceful purposes
exclusively;
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II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of
Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam
2. All applications should be ensured safely and
securely at the highest level for the protection of
people and the environment;
3. All applications should be conducted in an
effective and efficient manner practically in service
of sustainably socio-economic development.
13
II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of
Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam
In order to stepwise realize the above-mentioned
viewpoints, Vietnam has been trying its best to
conduct the followings:
1. Studying and establishing a comprehensive legal
and institutional infrastructure for atomic energy
applications in conformity with international
conventions/treaties and IAEA safety standards;
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II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of
Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam
2. Strengthening and encouraging investment in the
development of nuclear technical infrastructure;
3. Promoting the training and development of
nuclear human resources to step by step meet the
requirements for the development of atomic energy
applications, and
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II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of
Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam
4. Strengthening international cooperation both
multilateral and bilateral, especially with IAEA
and countries having advanced nuclear industries.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
In Vietnam, the hierarchy of legislative system
consists of the following four levels:
1. Laws and Codes are promulgated by the
National Assembly (NA);
2. Ordinances are promulgated by the NA
Standing Committee;
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
3. Government Decrees are promulgated by the
Government;
4. Prime Minister’s Decisions are promulgated by
Prime Minister; and
5. Ministerial Circulars are issued by
Minister/Ministers
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
In Vietnam, nuclear infrastructure development is
approached and grouped into the following 03 subgroups:
1. Legal and regulatory infrastructure
development;
2. Technical infrastructure development; and
3. Human resource development .
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
According to well-specified functions, duties,
powers and organization of each ministry, the
Government or Prime Minister assigns each ministry
to take the main responsibility for each specific duty
in collaboration with related ministries, in particular:
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
1. Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to
2020 (Jan. 2006, by Prime Minister);
The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the
main responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries for formulation;
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
2. Master Plan (Comprehensive Plan) to implement
the Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to
2020 July . 2007, by Prime Minister);
The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the
main responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries for formulation.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
3. Strategy for Energy Development up to 2020, with
a vision to 2050 (Dec. 2007, by Prime Minister);
The Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related ministries
for formulation.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
4. Atomic Energy Law, Jun. 2008 by
the National Assembly, and into
force since Jan. 2009.
The Ministry of Science and
Technology takes the main
responsibility in collaboration
with related ministries for
formulation.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
The Law regulates
comprehensively peaceful, safe
and secure use of atomic energy in
Vietnam, including the
participation and implementation
of international nuclear-related
conventions/treaties and
strengthening international
cooperation.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
5. Government Decree on Administrative
Punishment in the Field of Atomic Energy (Dec. 2009,
by the Government).
6. Government Decree Guiding the Implementation
of Some Articles in the Atomic Energy Law (25 Jan.
2010).
The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the
main responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries for formulation.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
One (01) more Government Decree has been
completely formulated and will be soon issued in
2010, namely:
Government Decree on Nuclear Power Plant.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related ministries
for formulation.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
In addition, a comprehensive plan with a concrete
road map for the study, formulation and issuance of
Ministerial Circulars, National Technical Regulations
and Technical Standards related to nuclear safety is
actively under construction to submit to competent
bodies for approval.
The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the
main responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries for the formulation of almost all these
documents
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
IAEA Safety Standards are the main reference
documents in the study and formulation of Ministerial
Circulars, National Technical Regulations and
Technical Standards related to nuclear safety in
Vietnam.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
According to Master Plan (Comprehensive Plan) to
implement the Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic
Energy up to 2020 July . 2007, by Prime Minister),
there are 23 projects should be formulated and
approved in 2010 for implementation among which
some projects are directly related to nuclear
infrastructure development, namely:
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 6: Long-term planning for nuclear
power plants (NPP) development and building
first NPP
Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with Ministry of
Science and Technology and related
ministries/lines.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 7: Planning human resource training and
development for nuclear power progamme
Ministry of Education and Training takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with Ministry of
Industry and Trade, Ministry of Science and
Technology and related ministries/lines.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 8: Planning research and development
of nuclear power technology (to build capacity for
technology selection, as well as innovation of
nuclear-related technologies in the long term)
Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with Ministry of
Industry and Trade and related ministries/lines.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 9: Strengthening technical capacity in
service of nuclear power programme (to build
technical capacity in safety analysis, assessment,
appraisal for NPP, inspection in the process of
construction, operation and maintenance for
NNPP).
Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries/lines.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 10: Planning sites for building NPPs
and national radwaste repository
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
takes the main responsibility in collaboration with
related ministries/lines.
35
III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 11: Planning investment for big
construction corporations to strengthen their
capacity in installation and training managers and
skilled technicians/workers
Ministry of Construction takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries/lines.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 12: Planning emergency response and
preparedness in case of nuclear and radiological
incident/accident
Ministry of National Defense takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries/lines.
37
III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 13: Planning and establishing measures
to ensure security in the field of atomic energy
Ministry of Public Security takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries/lines.
38
III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 14: Planning to participate in nuclearrelated international conventions, treaties,
agreements to ensure favourable international legal
basis for nuclear power development
Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries/lines.
39
III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 15: Survey, exploration and estimation
of uranium resource reserves
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
takes the main responsibility in collaboration with
related ministries/lines.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 20: Strengthening national capacity to
ensure nuclear safety
Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries/lines.
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III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure
Project No. 23: Strengthening regulatory body on
nuclear and radiation safety
Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main
responsibility in collaboration with related
ministries/lines.
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IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned
1. Vietnam has studied carefully and been following
closely all the recommendations in IAEA
publications “Considerations to Launch a Nuclear
Power Programme (GOV/INF/2007) and
“Milestones in the Development of a National
Infrastructure for Nuclear Power” (No. NG-G3.1), at the same time, actively learned experiences
of other countries through bilateral cooperation;
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IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned
2. All aspects related to nuclear power introduction
have been and being carefully considered, such as
legal and technical infrastructure, human
resources training and development, national
electrical grid, technology selection, site selection,
financial arrangement, environmental impact
assessment, public acceptance, international
environment, etc.), to ensure NPP will be built
according schedule and put into operation in the
safest, most secure and economic manner;
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IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned
3. However, as presented above, in the organization
and implementation of specific duties, Vietnam
does its own way, for example Vietnam does not
establish a separate Nuclear Energy Programme
Implementing Organization (NEPIO). Each
ministry according to its state management
functions is assigned to take the main
responsibility for each specific duty in
collaboration with related ministries/lines;
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IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned
4. According to our self-assessment, it can be said
that Vietnam is standing somewhere in Phase 2
between Milestone 1 and Milestone 2.
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IV. Some comments and lessons learned
5. Vietnam highly appreciates IAEA INIR
methodology and misssion to the country. It is
very important and useful for us. It is strongly
requested more IAEA INIR missions should be
conducted. It is also expected that
comments/recommendations should be deeper,
more specific and franker, not too much
diplomatic, that is best way the IAEA can help us.
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IV. Some comments and lessons learned
6. It is very clear that nuclear power is not a single
and pure economic issue, but a very complex and
interdisciplinary issue - political, economic, social
and environment, so in order to be able to
successfully introduce nuclear power, some key
factors would be:
 Political will should be strong, consistent and
transparent;
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IV. Some comments and lessons learned
 Government’s leadership and direction should be
strong, concerted and drastic in the organization,
implementation, supervision, inspection and
assessment of related duties;
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IV. Some comments and lessons learned
 High public acceptance should be gained; and
 Good international cooperation should be
established and strengthened.
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Thank you very much
for your kind attention!
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