17/04/2008
Viet Nam News (Hanoi)
VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy director Le Van Hong of the Viet Nam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC) spoke with Viet Nam News about the RCA meeting results and the country’s nuclear development potential.
Would you discuss the outcome of the 30th meeting of RCA [Asia-Pacific Regional Co-operative Agreement on Nuclear Science] representatives?
All members reviewed resolutions issued at the 29th meeting of RCA representatives and the implementation progress for the short and medium term. Specifically, we reviewed the implementation of 14 projects supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and approved last year in Australia.
We also discussed action plans for 2008 and the 2009-11 period. We had to consider how to work with other international organisations in realising these plans. This year, we also began six new projects.
We prioritised issues like food safety and nutrition, healthcare, industrial development, atomic energy and safety, and environmental protection.
Each year, all members choose a country to act as a project co-ordinator which will work out a formulation for other member countries to follow. This year, Vietnam was selected to be the co-ordinator.
How has Vietnam’s participation in the RCA helped develop the country’s nuclear energy sector and other economic sectors over the past year?
Vietnam has been an official member of the RCA since 1981. From the very beginning, we have made great efforts to promote the applications of radioactive isotopes in agriculture, industry, medical treatment and the environment.
Since 1996, we have been participating in RCA’s nuclear power-related projects. Through RCA projects, Vietnam has received valuable and efficient support from IAEA in providing equipment and training courses to develop nuclear manpower in various areas related to atomic energy.
In the health sector, we use radioactive isotopes to discover new diseases and more effectively treat cancer. For example, in the 108 Hospital, they are using the "cyber knife", the most modern radioactive isotope equipment to treat the disease.
In agriculture, we can create new varieties of rice, which are adaptable to environmental changes, and increase overall productivity.
In addition to sharing information and experiences on nuclear energy application, we can contribute to solving problems, like environmental pollution, that require widespread joint efforts.
What do you think about the potential of Vietnam’s atomic energy development?
Currently, the country still produces electricity by using coal and petroleum or we import electricity from other countries such as Laos, Cambodia and China. But with prices of such materials increasing across the globe, imported electricity should not be depended upon.
On the other hand, it is difficult to develop renewable sources like wind and solar energy because their usage depends on climactic and seasonal conditions, and we lack spaces large enough to collect solar energy.
Thus, with demand estimated at 300bil kWh by 2020, it is necessary to develop nuclear power.
Initial research on the first nuclear plant project has been approved by the Government but is still waiting for National Assembly approval.
If approved by the NA, we expect that the plant will be built in 2015 and the first reactor operational by 2020.
In 2006, the Prime Minister approved the Long-term Strategy for Peaceful Utilisation of Atomic Energy up to 2020, and in July last year, he approved the Action Plan for the implementation of the Long-term Strategy, defining tasks and objectives in atomic energy development for peaceful, security purposes.
What difficulties does the country face in developing the nuclear energy sector?
The nuclear energy sector is a high-tech area and is very sensitive in terms of politics and safety. Thus, its development requires comprehensive preparation.
We need to have a completely developed relevant legal infrastructure.
Previously, we have only had the Ordinance on Radiation Safety and Control, which does not mention nuclear energy application.
The Law on Nuclear Energy is being drafted and will be submitted to the NA in May. We expect legal infrastructure to be complete by 2014.
Other countries have spent a lot of money on developing the sector but we cannot do the same as we must still focus on other in-need sectors. Thus technical infrastructure is still poor.
We need research institutes and laboratories which have the capacity to fully assess nuclear power projects.
Another serious problem is that the country lacks human resources for the sector. Youth are now realising their breadth of opportunity and are not pursuing the nuclear sector in the way of prior generations.
Therefore, we need to establish professionals and experts in our country capable of using technology from developed countries. Then we can begin producing our own equipment and limit importation.
How can Vietnamese people benefit from the country’s first nuclear power plant?
Vietnam can generate only 50-60bil kWh per year right now. But, as estimated, the country will need about 300bil KWh by 2020.
With four reactors, each with a capacity of 1,000MW, the nuclear power plant can turn out 28bil kWh, helping to satisfy electricity demand.
For the long-term, people can enjoy lower electricity prices thanks to nuclear power. This is because, in the future, along with limited coal and petroleum supplies, power production and importation costs will increase. However, nuclear material costs won’t rise as rapidly.
Many people are still opposed to the nuclear power plant, saying that renewable sources like wind and solar energy should be developed instead. What do you think?
The opposition is understandable. Whenever people think about nuclear energy, they usually see it as very dangerous. And the risks of nuclear energy are real. People are obsessed with the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986, which caused severe damage to millions of people. But the Chernobyl plant was an old model of the ex-Soviet republic with low safety standards. European countries now do not use such models.
Moreover, Vietnamese people have thought for a long time that the country has rich natural resources. They think resources such as coal, petroleum and water are always available, so why use nuclear energy?
The Greenpeace International movement against nuclear power has also affected Vietnamese people. The organisation worries about nuclear waste and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
However, a nuclear power plant is the solution for the country’s electricity shortages. Building the plant shows the country’s long term vision in satisfying the increasing future demands of the people.
Would you discuss the outcome of the 30th meeting of RCA [Asia-Pacific Regional Co-operative Agreement on Nuclear Science] representatives?
All members reviewed resolutions issued at the 29th meeting of RCA representatives and the implementation progress for the short and medium term. Specifically, we reviewed the implementation of 14 projects supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and approved last year in Australia.
We also discussed action plans for 2008 and the 2009-11 period. We had to consider how to work with other international organisations in realising these plans. This year, we also began six new projects.
We prioritised issues like food safety and nutrition, healthcare, industrial development, atomic energy and safety, and environmental protection.
Each year, all members choose a country to act as a project co-ordinator which will work out a formulation for other member countries to follow. This year, Vietnam was selected to be the co-ordinator.
How has Vietnam’s participation in the RCA helped develop the country’s nuclear energy sector and other economic sectors over the past year?
Vietnam has been an official member of the RCA since 1981. From the very beginning, we have made great efforts to promote the applications of radioactive isotopes in agriculture, industry, medical treatment and the environment.
Since 1996, we have been participating in RCA’s nuclear power-related projects. Through RCA projects, Vietnam has received valuable and efficient support from IAEA in providing equipment and training courses to develop nuclear manpower in various areas related to atomic energy.
In the health sector, we use radioactive isotopes to discover new diseases and more effectively treat cancer. For example, in the 108 Hospital, they are using the "cyber knife", the most modern radioactive isotope equipment to treat the disease.
In agriculture, we can create new varieties of rice, which are adaptable to environmental changes, and increase overall productivity.
In addition to sharing information and experiences on nuclear energy application, we can contribute to solving problems, like environmental pollution, that require widespread joint efforts.
What do you think about the potential of Vietnam’s atomic energy development?
Currently, the country still produces electricity by using coal and petroleum or we import electricity from other countries such as Laos, Cambodia and China. But with prices of such materials increasing across the globe, imported electricity should not be depended upon.
On the other hand, it is difficult to develop renewable sources like wind and solar energy because their usage depends on climactic and seasonal conditions, and we lack spaces large enough to collect solar energy.
Thus, with demand estimated at 300bil kWh by 2020, it is necessary to develop nuclear power.
Initial research on the first nuclear plant project has been approved by the Government but is still waiting for National Assembly approval.
If approved by the NA, we expect that the plant will be built in 2015 and the first reactor operational by 2020.
In 2006, the Prime Minister approved the Long-term Strategy for Peaceful Utilisation of Atomic Energy up to 2020, and in July last year, he approved the Action Plan for the implementation of the Long-term Strategy, defining tasks and objectives in atomic energy development for peaceful, security purposes.
What difficulties does the country face in developing the nuclear energy sector?
The nuclear energy sector is a high-tech area and is very sensitive in terms of politics and safety. Thus, its development requires comprehensive preparation.
We need to have a completely developed relevant legal infrastructure.
Previously, we have only had the Ordinance on Radiation Safety and Control, which does not mention nuclear energy application.
The Law on Nuclear Energy is being drafted and will be submitted to the NA in May. We expect legal infrastructure to be complete by 2014.
Other countries have spent a lot of money on developing the sector but we cannot do the same as we must still focus on other in-need sectors. Thus technical infrastructure is still poor.
We need research institutes and laboratories which have the capacity to fully assess nuclear power projects.
Another serious problem is that the country lacks human resources for the sector. Youth are now realising their breadth of opportunity and are not pursuing the nuclear sector in the way of prior generations.
Therefore, we need to establish professionals and experts in our country capable of using technology from developed countries. Then we can begin producing our own equipment and limit importation.
How can Vietnamese people benefit from the country’s first nuclear power plant?
Vietnam can generate only 50-60bil kWh per year right now. But, as estimated, the country will need about 300bil KWh by 2020.
With four reactors, each with a capacity of 1,000MW, the nuclear power plant can turn out 28bil kWh, helping to satisfy electricity demand.
For the long-term, people can enjoy lower electricity prices thanks to nuclear power. This is because, in the future, along with limited coal and petroleum supplies, power production and importation costs will increase. However, nuclear material costs won’t rise as rapidly.
Many people are still opposed to the nuclear power plant, saying that renewable sources like wind and solar energy should be developed instead. What do you think?
The opposition is understandable. Whenever people think about nuclear energy, they usually see it as very dangerous. And the risks of nuclear energy are real. People are obsessed with the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986, which caused severe damage to millions of people. But the Chernobyl plant was an old model of the ex-Soviet republic with low safety standards. European countries now do not use such models.
Moreover, Vietnamese people have thought for a long time that the country has rich natural resources. They think resources such as coal, petroleum and water are always available, so why use nuclear energy?
The Greenpeace International movement against nuclear power has also affected Vietnamese people. The organisation worries about nuclear waste and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
However, a nuclear power plant is the solution for the country’s electricity shortages. Building the plant shows the country’s long term vision in satisfying the increasing future demands of the people.
5 comments:
Dear Author;
Vietnam look to develop "Nuclear power plant" - NOT "power nuclear plant".
It's really ambitious project ever for Vietnam and it will be the 1st and only one country in ASEAN.
It is not special in this era for all countries who have power nuclear plants who serve electricity power to their people.
Look China, it already has lots of BIG power plants and continue to create and develop them more.
and what special that vietnam will have a small one?
cambodia ought to have one too for producing electricity purpose for consumers. however, do keep in mind that having a nuclear power plant is very dangerous, especially if accident occur. my opinion, is small countries in the world ought not be allow to have nuclear power plant as that can by very dangerous if accident occur. this goes with vietnam, cambodia, thailand, etc... because if one have it, i'm sure others wants it too, so better not to allow that in the first place unless it is manage totally by the superpower nations.
Vietnam embedes the potential to be destroyed by the nuclear rediation. Cambodians will deserve the chance to act as terrorist for the retaliation to their cronic enemy.
The Vietcong can go Nuclear Power but not North Korean and Iranian? Ahhahahha!
Oh well! It depends which political camp you are on!
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