Russia is ready to cooperate with Vietnam in nuclear energy development by taking part in the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, according to Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko.
The ambassador was addressing media questions at a press conference in Hanoi on Wednesday about Russia’s plans to participate in the restart of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam.
At the press meeting, which focused on bilateral cooperation between the two countries in 2024 under the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, Bezdetko said Russia and Vietnam had been developing the project together prior to its suspension in 2016.
He also affirmed Moscow’s commitment to cooperating with Vietnam in developing nuclear technology, specifically nuclear energy, and would gladly join the Ninh Thuan project upon Hanoi’s request.
Russia boasts the scientific, technical, technological, and financial conditions needed to support Vietnam, he stated, adding that about 300 Vietnamese citizens have studied nuclear power in rhe federation over the past several years.
If Vietnam invites Russia to participate in the project’s resumption, Russia would be willing to accept, the ambassador confirmed.
He revealed that several Russian agencies have recently held meetings with officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Industry and Trade regarding the project.
On November 30, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved the resumption of the nuclear power plant project after an eight-year hiatus.
The project’s primary goals are to ensure national energy security and support Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
It offers opportunities for Vietnam to develop high-quality human resources, strengthen its scientific and technological capabilities, and integrate into the global nuclear power supply chain, according to the government.
In 2009, following the legislature’s approval of the project, the government designated state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) as the project’s investor.
EVN then released plans to build two nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of over 4,000 MW in Ninh Thuan at a cost of approximately VND200 trillion (US$7.9 billion).
However, the project was suspended in November 2016 due to concerns over safety, high investment costs, technological issues, and developments in the global energy situation then.
Vinh Tho – Thanh Hien / Tuoi Tre News
