Government seeks monopoly over nuclear power
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The government wants to retain its monopoly over nuclear power, proposed amendments to the Electricity Law show.
The government wants to exclusively build nuclear power plants as these are considered critical to national security, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said as he presented the amendments to the National Assembly Monday.
The construction, operation and decommissioning of the plants and ensuring their safety must comply with the Atomic Energy Law and other relevant regulations.
The plans for nuclear power generation must be integrated into the national power development plan to ensure energy security.
Nuclear plants are required to use proven technologies.
The government will create mechanisms for the investment, construction and operation of the nuclear plants.
PM Pham Minh Chinh recently instructed government agencies to study the development of nuclear power and make amendments to the National Power Development Plan to include it.
In 2009 the government had announced plans to build two nuclear power plants in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan at a cost of several billion dollars, but the National Assembly shot down the proposal in 2016 saying they were unaffordable.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the government's primary reason for wanting to exclusively build nuclear power plants?
What is the government's primary reason for wanting to exclusively build nuclear power plants?
The government views nuclear power plants as critical to national security, which is why Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated they wish to retain a monopoly over their construction and operation.
Q.Which government officials have recently been involved in advancing nuclear power development?
Which government officials have recently been involved in advancing nuclear power development?
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien presented the amendments, and PM Pham Minh Chinh recently instructed government agencies to study nuclear power and amend the National Power Development Plan.
Q.What happened to the previous plans for nuclear power plants in 2009?
What happened to the previous plans for nuclear power plants in 2009?
The government's 2009 plans to build two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan were rejected by the National Assembly in 2016, which deemed them unaffordable.