The construction of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant No. 1 will be kicked off in 2014 and its first turbine be operational in 2010, said a representative of the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN).

At a press briefing held in Hanoi on May 25 on the fourth international exhibition on nuclear power, Head of EVN renewable energy and nuclear power projects’ investment board Phan Minh Tuan said feasibility study is underway and the project is seeking consultants and partners’ opinions.

EVN has also started negotiation with Russia on technology selection as the latter is a source technology possessor and an experienced developer of civil nuclear power, he added.

The country is also cooperating with Russia in human resource training nuclear power sector. According to Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute Vuong Huu Tan, Vietnam has sent 40 students and MA degree holders to Russia for further training in the field. Seven domestic universities are also training human resources in the sector.

Together with fast economic development, the country’s energy consumption demand is on the rise, said Tan. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has forecasted that Vietnam will need around 294 billion kWh in 2020 and 562 billion kWh in 2030 for production. Meanwhile, energy sources can only supply around 230 billion kWh in 2020 and 293 billion kWh in 2030.

Nuclear power development, therefore, is extremely important, Tan said, adding that it would not only meet the national economy’s increasing demand for power consumption but also contribute to ensuring energy security.

The fourth exhibition, themed “Towards the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project” will take place in Hanoi from May 27-29. The exhibition will draw participation of the world’s leading nuclear technology companies from Japan, Russia, France, the US, China, Canada and Bulgaria.

The Ninh Thuan project which was approved by the National Assembly in its November 2009 session includes two plants with a combined capacity of over 4,000 MW./.