Developing nuclear electricity in Vietnam is a long-term strategywhich is being pursued in order to meet domestic energy demands, reducethe reliance on international energy sources, limit environmentalpollution caused by burning fossil fuels, and promote the development ofscience-technology and infrastructure.

NguyenCuong Lam, Deputy General Director of the Electricity of Vietnam Group(EVN), declared nuclear power a national priority at the NuclearIndustry Suppliers Forum (Atomex Asia 2014) organised by Russia’snational nuclear corporation Rosatom in Ho Chi Minh City on November 19.

To ensure the success and safe operation of nuclearpower plants, Vietnam needed to select the most appropriatelocations and advanced technologies, and ensure a high-quality workforcein the field, he added.

EVN and Rosatom are jointlyimplementing a nuclear power project in the central province ofNinh Thuan. The Russian firm handed over the results of a feasibilitystudy on the project to EVN, the plant’s investor, for consideration andsubmission for State approval.

To help Vietnamdevelop its nuclear energy sector, Rosatom has been training Vietnameseexperts on constructing and operating nuclear power facilities. As manyas 150 Vietnamese specialists gained practical experience at the reactorsites No. 3 and 4 at the Rostov nuclear power plant in Russia .Around 340 Vietnamese students will study nuclear technology in Russiain 2014 and 2015 on Russian Government scholarships, which will beexpanded to 1,000 students in the near future.

During the forum, participants examined the prospects for nuclear energyin Southeast Asia; the technology and safety protocols in nuclearreactors in Russia; capacity requirements for nuclear industrysuppliers; infrastructure development and manpower training; andimproving public awareness of nuclear energy.

AtomexAsia 2014, which ends on November 20, is part of Rosatom’s annualefforts to create opportunities for nuclear industry suppliers fromaround the globe to forge partnerships.-VNA