17 May (NucNet): Russia says it is ready to offer financial assistance as part of its potential involvement in construction of the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam.
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom said financing for nuclear construction was discussed during a working meeting in Russia this week between Vietnam’s prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Rosatom director-general Sergei Kiriyenko.
According to Rosatom, the meeting discussed “the possible construction of the first Vietnamese nuclear power plant and cooperation in nuclear technology”.
Rosatom said Vietnam is planning to build two VVER 1000-1200 reactors in the southeastern province of Ninh Thuan with the first unit to be commissioned in 2020. Vietnam’s strategic energy development programme to 2030 includes the construction of 13 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 15 gigawatts at eight sites, Rosatom said.
In January 2013 an International Atomic Energy Agency team visiting Vietnam said the country had made progress in preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant and the nuclear industry enjoyed “strong support” from the federal government.
The visit was organised by the IAEA in response to a request by the Vietnamese government for an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission to review the status of Vietnam’s nuclear infrastructure.
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