No alternatives for nuclear power by 2050: Deputy PM

Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai

Vietnam continues to develop new energy sources as an alternative for nuclear power, but, according to the Vietnamese electricity development strategy, by 2050, the country will be unable to find a sufficient a source, the deputy PM said in an interview at the ongoing 13th National Assembly.

The government has issued a mechanism to support wind power development and also instructed ministries and agencies to study power production based on solar and wave power, Hai added.

He noted that, “We have discussed measures, such as importing electricity, the further development of hydropower plants to meet the domestic power demand; however, all of these are face certain difficulties. Therefore, finding a potential alternative primary source can help ease the country’s reliance on nuclear power,” Hai added.

Wind power production is being piloted in Quy Nhon Province

According to the deputy PM, to ease the power shortage, one of the most effective measures is using power-saving techniques.

“Everyone should start thinking about ways to reduce their power usage through practical, everyday means," Hai said.

Veitnam is still studying the feasibility of a nuclear power plant, and this type of power will not be implemented until the study proves it safe. The incident at Japan'sFukushima nuclear plant in March underlines this need.

Organisations involved in nuclear power worldwide are looking into how to safely generate power. Currently, around 400-500 nuclear power plants are in operation globally. The issue of nuclear power is a global concern, Hai said.

Vietnam plans to build its first nuclear power plants in the central province of Ninh Thuan with an annual capacity of 4,000 MW. The construction of Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant 1 is scheduled to start in 2014 and it is expected to be operational by 2020.