International Atomic Energy Agency Workshop on Topical Issues on Infrastructure Development:...

International Atomic Energy Agency

Workshop on Topical Issues on Infrastructure Development:

Managing the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power

Vienna, 09-12 Feb. 2010

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Le Thi Kim Dung

Deputy Director, Division of Licensing

Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS)

An Overview on Building up National Infrastructure

on the Way to IntroduceNuclear Power into Vietnam

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Table of Contents

I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam

II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam

III.Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure in Vietnam

IV.Some Comments and Lessons Learned

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Map of Vietnam

Capital: Hanoi

Area: 331,690 km2

Population: 86 mil. (2009)

Coastal line: 3,260 km

GDP (PPP): @2,800 $

Based on national strategy on industrialization, modernization and socio-economic development of the country:

1. All scenarios on energy demand have been studied intensively, comprehensively and systematically, then discussed and debated from working to policy-maker levels since 1990’s;

I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam

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2. According to research results, the electricity demand under the base scenario (with GDP growth rate of 7.1%-7.2%/year for the 2001-2020 period) will be 201 billion kWh by 2020 and 327 billion kWh by 2030.

I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam

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3. Meanwhile, domestic conventional energy sources (hydro, coal, oil & gas, renewable) can supply only 165 billion kWh by 2020 and 208 billion kWh by 2030. In other words, according to the base scenario, our country will run short of 36 billion kWh by 2020 and nearly 119 billion kWh by 2030. The increasing shortage of electricity supply will continue in the subsequent periods.

I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam

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4. To settle the demand-supply balance, the following options have continued to be studied to compare and consider, namely:

• Import electricity from the neighboring countries;

• Import coal, oil & gas for electricity production; and

• Introduce nuclear power.

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5. Research results have also pointed out nuclear power is more advantageous than the other options in terms of economics, environment, energy security, and optimal mix.

I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam

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As a result, after a long process of comprehensive and systematic study and intensive discussion, a well-informed decision has been officially made, that is:

Nuclear power should be introduced in the country.

I. Necessity of Nuclear Power for Vietnam

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The decision to introduce nuclear power into Vietnam was officially stated clearly and openly in 02 following important documents:

1. Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to 2020 (Jan. 2006, by Prime Minister), in which nuclear power is a main component in the Strategy); and

2. Strategy for Energy Development up to 2020, with a vision to 2050 (Dec. 2007, by Prime Minister);

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Guiding and Consistent Viewpoints in the National Policy and Strategy for the Development of Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam are:

1. Vietnam uses atomic energy for peaceful purposes exclusively;

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2. All applications should be ensured safely and securely at the highest level for the protection of people and the environment;

3. All applications should be conducted in an effective and efficient manner practically in service of sustainably socio-economic development.

II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam

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In order to stepwise realize the above-mentioned viewpoints, Vietnam has been trying its best to conduct the followings:

1. Studying and establishing a comprehensive legal and institutional infrastructure for atomic energy applications in conformity with international conventions/treaties and IAEA safety standards;

II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam

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2. Strengthening and encouraging investment in the development of nuclear technical infrastructure;

3. Promoting the training and development of nuclear human resources to step by step meet the requirements for the development of atomic energy applications, and

II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam

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4. Strengthening international cooperation both multilateral and bilateral, especially with IAEA and countries having advanced nuclear industries.

II. Guiding Viewpoints in the Development of Atomic Energy Applications in Vietnam

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In Vietnam, the hierarchy of legislative system consists of the following four levels:

1. Laws and Codes are promulgated by the National Assembly (NA);

2. Ordinances are promulgated by the NA Standing Committee;

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3. Government Decrees are promulgated by the Government;

4. Prime Minister’s Decisions are promulgated by Prime Minister; and

5. Ministerial Circulars are issued by Minister/Ministers

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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In Vietnam, nuclear infrastructure development is approached and grouped into the following 03 sub-groups:

1. Legal and regulatory infrastructure development;

2. Technical infrastructure development; and

3. Human resource development .

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According to well-specified functions, duties, powers and organization of each ministry, the Government or Prime Minister assigns each ministry to take the main responsibility for each specific duty in collaboration with related ministries, in particular:

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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1. Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to 2020 (Jan. 2006, by Prime Minister);

The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries for formulation;

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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2. Master Plan (Comprehensive Plan) to implement the Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to 2020 July . 2007, by Prime Minister);

The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries for formulation.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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3. Strategy for Energy Development up to 2020, with a vision to 2050 (Dec. 2007, by Prime Minister);

The Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries for formulation.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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4. Atomic Energy Law, Jun. 2008 by the National Assembly, and into force since Jan. 2009.

The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries for formulation.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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The Law regulates comprehensively peaceful, safe and secure use of atomic energy in Vietnam, including the participation and implementation of international nuclear-related conventions/treaties and strengthening international cooperation.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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5. Government Decree on Administrative Punishment in the Field of Atomic Energy (Dec. 2009, by the Government).

6. Government Decree Guiding the Implementation of Some Articles in the Atomic Energy Law (25 Jan. 2010).

The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries for formulation.

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One (01) more Government Decree has been completely formulated and will be soon issued in 2010, namely:

Government Decree on Nuclear Power Plant.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries for formulation.

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In addition, a comprehensive plan with a concrete road map for the study, formulation and issuance of Ministerial Circulars, National Technical Regulations and Technical Standards related to nuclear safety is actively under construction to submit to competent bodies for approval.

The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries for the formulation of almost all these documents

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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IAEA Safety Standards are the main reference documents in the study and formulation of Ministerial Circulars, National Technical Regulations and Technical Standards related to nuclear safety in Vietnam.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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According to Master Plan (Comprehensive Plan) to implement the Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to 2020 July . 2007, by Prime Minister), there are 23 projects should be formulated and approved in 2010 for implementation among which some projects are directly related to nuclear infrastructure development, namely:

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 6: Long-term planning for nuclear power plants (NPP) development and building first NPP

Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the main responsibility in collaboration with Ministry of Science and Technology and related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 7: Planning human resource training and development for nuclear power progamme

Ministry of Education and Training takes the main responsibility in collaboration with Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Science and Technology and related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 8: Planning research and development of nuclear power technology (to build capacity for technology selection, as well as innovation of nuclear-related technologies in the long term)

Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with Ministry of Industry and Trade and related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 9: Strengthening technical capacity in service of nuclear power programme (to build technical capacity in safety analysis, assessment, appraisal for NPP, inspection in the process of construction, operation and maintenance for NNPP).

Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 10: Planning sites for building NPPs and national radwaste repository

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

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Project No. 11: Planning investment for big construction corporations to strengthen their capacity in installation and training managers and skilled technicians/workers

Ministry of Construction takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 12: Planning emergency response and preparedness in case of nuclear and radiological incident/accident

Ministry of National Defense takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

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Project No. 13: Planning and establishing measures to ensure security in the field of atomic energy

Ministry of Public Security takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 14: Planning to participate in nuclear-related international conventions, treaties, agreements to ensure favourable international legal basis for nuclear power development

Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 15: Survey, exploration and estimation of uranium resource reserves

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

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Project No. 20: Strengthening national capacity to ensure nuclear safety

Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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Project No. 23: Strengthening regulatory body on nuclear and radiation safety

Ministry of Science and Technology takes the main responsibility in collaboration with related ministries/lines.

III. Establishment of Nuclear Infrastructure

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1. Vietnam has studied carefully and been following closely all the recommendations in IAEA publications “Considerations to Launch a Nuclear Power Programme (GOV/INF/2007) and “Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power” (No. NG-G-3.1), at the same time, actively learned experiences of other countries through bilateral cooperation;

IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned

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2. All aspects related to nuclear power introduction have been and being carefully considered, such as legal and technical infrastructure, human resources training and development, national electrical grid, technology selection, site selection, financial arrangement, environmental impact assessment, public acceptance, international environment, etc.), to ensure NPP will be built according schedule and put into operation in the safest, most secure and economic manner;

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3. However, as presented above, in the organization and implementation of specific duties, Vietnam does its own way, for example Vietnam does not establish a separate Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO). Each ministry according to its state management functions is assigned to take the main responsibility for each specific duty in collaboration with related ministries/lines;

IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned

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4. According to our self-assessment, it can be said that Vietnam is standing somewhere in Phase 2 between Milestone 1 and Milestone 2.

IV. Some Comments and Lessons Learned

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5. Vietnam highly appreciates IAEA INIR methodology and misssion to the country. It is very important and useful for us. It is strongly requested more IAEA INIR missions should be conducted. It is also expected that comments/recommendations should be deeper, more specific and franker, not too much diplomatic, that is best way the IAEA can help us.

IV. Some comments and lessons learned

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6. It is very clear that nuclear power is not a single and pure economic issue, but a very complex and interdisciplinary issue - political, economic, social and environment, so in order to be able to successfully introduce nuclear power, some key factors would be:

Political will should be strong, consistent and transparent;

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Government’s leadership and direction should be strong, concerted and drastic in the organization, implementation, supervision, inspection and assessment of related duties;

IV. Some comments and lessons learned

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High public acceptance should be gained; and

Good international cooperation should be established and strengthened.

IV. Some comments and lessons learned

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Thank you very much for your kind attention!

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