Special mechanism will help shorten the implementation time of nuclear power projects.

According to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, due to the complexity of the nuclear power project and the first time it is built in our country, to ensure the goal of completion in 2030-2031, it is necessary to have specific and strong mechanisms and policies.

Proposal to specify procedures and processes

At the discussion session in the hall on the specific mechanism for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project on the morning of February 17, Mr. Le Manh Hung, National Assembly delegate of Ca Mau province, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), proposed that the National Assembly soon issue specific policies and mechanisms so that the project can be completed on schedule and put into operation by 2030 or at the latest by 2031.

Mr. Le Manh Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) spoke at the discussion.

Talking about the urgency of the project, Mr. Hung said that the total installed power capacity of the entire system by 2024 is nearly 81,000 MW, of which wind and solar power is 21,600 MW.

By June 2024, the maximum capacity of the entire system will be 52,000 MW, so the power system's reserve capacity is very low, posing a great risk to energy security.

The PVN Chairman analyzed that the trend of shifting to green energy is growing. For Vietnam, by 2030, we will no longer use coal-fired power. The high growth scenario requires a large increase in electricity load and a high increase in backup power. Therefore, the need for baseload power, especially nuclear power, is increasingly urgent.

According to Mr. Hung, the Central Government's goal requires the development of nuclear power plants to be put into use by 2030 and 2031 at the latest. This is a very stressful goal, while large-scale and complex nuclear power requires a very specific and clear mechanism so that participating entities can implement it.

Previously, many delegates proposed that EVN and PVN should not be included as entities participating in nuclear power projects. Regarding this issue, Mr. Hung said: "The mechanism in the resolution on nuclear power must definitely include the names of participating enterprises, because this is a matter of clear people, clear work, and clear responsibilities.

Because the mechanism must be very clear, especially the financial mechanism, the counterpart capital of the enterprise's owner and the loan source arranged through agreements with suppliers.

For EVN and PVN, which are two 100% state-owned enterprises, the source of equity capital needs to be clearly defined to avoid affecting other tasks during implementation."

In addition, according to Mr. Hung, the mechanism and procedures for implementing the project also need to be clarified. In particular, it is necessary to specify which items need to be implemented in parallel, and what is implemented according to the special mechanism of bidding.

"Without a specific mechanism, businesses cannot do it. After the project is approved, the project participants have to apply for a mechanism, which is very time-consuming.

With the existing capacity of participating in nearly 13 complex thermal power projects, especially offshore gas-fired power station projects, delegates are completely assured of the capacity of domestic enterprises," said Mr. Hung.

Need to pay attention to specific mechanisms to attract human resources

Participating in giving opinions, delegate Duong Khac Mai (Dak Nong) said that a young voter sent him a message at the 8th session before pressing the button to approve the policy of restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project: "Nuclear power is cheap, stable, low-emission and has large capacity, please do not let this opportunity slip away to slow down the country's development."

According to Mr. Mai, many countries are currently adjusting their policies and making new moves related to nuclear power to ensure energy security and reduce carbon emissions.

Delegate Duong Khac Mai (Dak Nong) expressed his opinions at the parliament on the morning of February 17.

In Vietnam, with the increasing demand for energy, the development of nuclear power is an inevitable, objective and lawful requirement.

Therefore, the National Assembly's issuance of a special policy mechanism for investment in the construction of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant is correct, in line with reality, and a breakthrough policy.

However, besides the potential and positive benefits, the project also faces many risks and challenges that need to be carefully considered such as financial issues, technology, and social and environmental safety...

"For the project to be successfully implemented, the Government should direct relevant agencies to conduct research and comprehensively assess risks, make thorough preparations in all aspects, and have management policies and short-term and long-term solutions to ensure strictness, transparency, efficiency and sustainability," Mr. Mai suggested.

On the other hand, Mr. Mai acknowledged that this project requires specialized, complex technology and will certainly depend on foreign partners. However, the draft Resolution has not yet mentioned any specific policy mechanism for this issue.

Besides, there should be policy mechanisms to mobilize maximum resources to reduce pressure on state capital.

Need strong enough mechanisms and policies

Further clarifying the issues raised by delegates, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that this is a project with complex technology and only a few countries own it, and the need for investment capital is very large.

Normally in the world, to complete investment in a nuclear power project of similar scale, the time from investment approval to operation is about 10 years; in which, the fastest project progress is about 7-8 years and must have specific policy mechanisms to implement this project.

Due to the complexity of the project and the first time it is built in our country, to ensure the target of completion in 2030-2031, it is necessary to have specific and strong mechanisms and policies as in the draft Resolution to speed up progress and shorten implementation time.

Regarding the subject of application, accepting the comments of the delegates, the Minister of Industry and Trade said that the drafting agency will adjust in the direction of only stating "project investor" in general, and at the same time adding the subject of application "Ninh Thuan province" and "unit assigned to prepare the project".

Other specific policies, if any, will be further researched, summarized and submitted to competent authorities for consideration and decision in the coming time.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/co-che-dac-thu-se-giup-rut-ngan-thoi-gian-thuc-hien-du-an-dien-hat-nhan-192250217114840584.htm