The Government proposes that the State monopolize investment and operation of nuclear power plants.

Prime Minister prescribes special mechanism for nuclear power plants

On the afternoon of October 21, the National Assembly listened to the presentation and report on the review of the Electricity Law project (amended).

On behalf of the Government, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that after nearly 20 years of implementation, there are still some issues that the current Electricity Law has not yet met, and need to be amended and supplemented.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien presented the draft Law on Electricity (amended).

A new point in the draft Law on Electricity (amended) this time is the mention of nuclear power development.

According to Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, the draft Law stipulates general principles in nuclear power development to contribute to ensuring electricity supply, energy security and meeting the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 as committed by Vietnam at COP 26.

According to the draft Law, the Government proposes that the State has a monopoly in investing in the construction and operation of nuclear power plant projects for the purpose of ensuring national energy security.

In addition to nuclear power plants, the State also has a monopoly in investing in the construction and operation of multi-purpose strategic hydropower plants, important transmission grids from 220 kV voltage level and above, emergency power sources, and emergency power grids.

The State also has a monopoly in regulating the national power system; operating the transmission grid, except for the transmission grid invested in and built by non-State economic sectors.

The Draft Law stipulates that nuclear power development planning is an integral and synchronous part of the national power development planning to ensure the goal of electricity supply security.

Nuclear power projects must use modern, proven technology to ensure the highest safety.

"Depending on the economic and social situation of each period and specific projects, the Prime Minister shall prescribe specific mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of investment in construction and operation of nuclear power plants," the draft Law states.

Illustration photo.

Previously, on October 19, at the Government Standing Committee meeting with ministries and branches on the implementation of important projects of the Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to ensure adequate electricity supply and national energy security, the Prime Minister noted a number of specific contents related to diversifying power sources, ensuring baseload power sources, gradually shifting from coal-fired power to clean electricity production, and implementing Vietnam's commitments at COP26.

In particular, the Prime Minister requested relevant agencies to research and develop nuclear power; continue to perfect regulations and institutions and update and adjust the VIII power plan.

Gradually reduce and eliminate cross-subsidy of electricity prices

Regarding electricity price policy, according to the draft Electricity Law (amended), a reasonable retail electricity price structure will be implemented and cross-subsidy of electricity prices between customer groups that do not participate in the competitive retail electricity market when they are not eligible to participate or do not choose to participate in buying and selling electricity in the competitive retail electricity market.

Gradually reduce and eliminate cross-subsidy of electricity prices between regions in accordance with the development level of the electricity market. Ensure the right to self-determination of electricity purchase and sale prices within the electricity price framework and retail electricity price structure regulated by the State.

Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy presented the review report.

Electricity prices are guaranteed to be public, transparent, equal, and non-discriminatory among electricity units.

Apply appropriate electricity pricing mechanisms to groups of electricity customers with high electricity consumption and high emissions, tourist accommodation establishments, customers producing priority industrial products and charging stations serving green vehicles in accordance with the socio-economic situation of each period and the State's policies.

Examining this content, Chairman of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy proposed to study and supplement information in the electricity purchase and sale contract for domestic use. Clarify the content of electricity purchase and sale activities.

In addition, it is necessary to supplement regulations on principles for determining prices and responsibilities of parties in electricity service contracts. In addition, it is necessary to supplement criteria for determining retail electricity prices to ensure fairness and transparency in the competitive electricity market.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/chinh-phu-de-xuat-nha-nuoc-doc-quyen-dau-tu-van-hanh-nha-may-dien-hat-nhan-192241021160659419.htm