Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the steering committee meeting

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed two state-owned groups, Electricity of Vietnam and Vietnam Oil & Gas Group, to complete the construction of two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan province by the end of 2030.

The prime minister - who is head of the steering committee for the construction of nuclear power plants - chaired the second meeting of the steering committee earlier this week.

Vietnam's proposed Ninh Thuan nuclear power project consists of two plants, with each plant comprising two reactors. The Ninh Thuan 1 plant is located in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district. The Ninh Thuan 2 plant is located in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district.

During the meeting of the steering committee, the prime minister assigned Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) as the investor of the Ninh Thuan 1 plant and Vietnam Oil & Gas Group (Petrovietnam) as the investor of Ninh Thuan 2 plant.

In an effort to create the legal foundation for the two plants, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is reviewing and supplementing the 8th edition of the National Power Development Plan, including the addition of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant project, as well as researching and planning the development of new nuclear power plants and reporting to competent authorities for the policy of renegotiating with foreign partners. The Ministry of Science and Technology, meanwhile, is putting forward amendments and supplementation to the Law on Atomic Energy.

The prime minister stated that the project completion time must be shortened compared with the previous plan, by the end of 2031 at the latest, but with an aim to complete before the end of 2030 "on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the country".

Regarding the selection of foreign partners to participate in the project, the prime minister said that, "in accordance with the Central Committee's conclusion, the National Assembly's resolution, and the Politburo's direction, EVN, Petrovietnam and other agencies must send a working delegation to negotiate with foreign partners in February, paying attention to having back-up partners to be ready in all situations".

He requested coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency on related issues, feasibility study assessments, enhanced communications work, and monthly meetings of the steering committee to monitor progress and address challenges promptly.

A previous project, in the central province of Ninh Thuan, was approved in principle by the government in 2009 and was going to feature Russian VVER-1200 reactors - but project work was halted in 2016 because of "economic conditions". The Vietnamese government has since revived its nuclear energy ambitions - citing energy security, development and net zero targets - and has been exploring the possibilities of small modular reactors. The National Assembly approved the government's proposal to restart the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project at its 8th working session on 30 November.