Vietnam’s First Nuclear Power Plant Faces Another Setback

Due to slowing economic growth and safety concerns, the construction of Vietnam’s first nuclear reactor has been delayed yet again. 

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Vietnam’s slowing economic boom and the utmost concern for safety procedures have caused further delays while procedural and processes are finalized, according to a recent piece in the Wall Street Journal.

In October of 2013, an agreement was signed between the United States and Vietnam whereby the U.S. would supply nuclear fuel to Vietnam with the caveat the uranium not be enriched. Further, the U.S. would have control over all nuclear technology and uranium provided to Vietnam. Russia as well as Japan have also put their hats in the ring to provide materials and training for the country’s civilian nuclear program. Vietnam’s first nuclear plant in Ninh Thuận is to be built by Russian energy giant, Rosatom, and Russia has pledged $8 billion in loans to complete the project.

Initially scheduled to begin construction in 2014, the project is now planned to break ground in 2017. Interestingly, this timetable is at odds with previous reports of a 2020-2022 start date.

Presently, Vietnam’s energy infrastructure is tied to coal burning and hydroelectric power. In recent years, Vietnam has gone from a net exporter of coal to an importer, and the opportunities for hydroelectric power are nearly exhausted. A real need for sustainable energy is becoming more and more urgent with rapid growth of urban centers. The economic turndown, however, has given the country a bit of a buffer, but with its population ever increasing, an alternative energy source outside of coal and hydroelectric power seems to be necessary.

[Photo via Jonathan Brennan]