Ninh Thuan nuclear power project: Need to supervise bidding, avoid group interests

DNVN - Selecting contractors and applying the "turnkey" bidding package is reasonable to speed up the progress of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. However, this form can lead to limited competition, the risk of group interests and lack of transparency in the implementation process.

According to the policy of restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, the Government has directed ministries, departments and branches to urgently carry out necessary tasks to soon put the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project into operation in 2030-2031, ensuring national energy security and meeting the electricity demand for the country's socio -economic development.

At the 9th extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly on the morning of February 14, the National Assembly heard a presentation and an examination report on special mechanisms and policies for investment in the construction of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

According to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, this is a particularly important project with complex technology, owned by only a few countries; the investment capital requirement is very large and it is the first time it is invested and built in Vietnam. Therefore, it is necessary to have specific mechanisms and policies that are strong enough to speed up the progress and shorten the implementation time.

On February 8, the Government issued Document No. 74, submitting to the National Assembly for consideration and approval of specific mechanisms and policies for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project.

Authorized by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry and Trade briefly reported on the content of specific mechanisms and policies for this power project.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that special mechanisms and policies are needed to speed up the construction of nuclear power plants.

Specifically, it allows the simultaneous implementation of work on negotiating agreements and agreements with partners in parallel with the process of preparing documents and approving adjustments to investment policies and approving investment projects.

Regarding the selection of investors and contractors, the Prime Minister assigns investors to implement the projects. Apply the form of turnkey contracts and designated bidding for turnkey packages for the construction of main factories with contractors in intergovernmental agreements or treaties. Apply the form of designated bidding/abbreviated designated bidding for important consulting packages to establish, examine, evaluate, and assist investors in managing and implementing the project. Purchase fuel, hire partners for operation and maintenance in the initial period.

Some project preparation work is carried out in parallel, at the same time, during the negotiation of agreements, contracts, and turnkey contracts before approving the investment project.

Negotiate government loans with partners; allow investors to borrow again without credit risk; use increased revenue, save budget expenditure and other legal capital sources. Investors are allowed to use loans from government/enterprise/project bonds and some other mechanisms to have enough counterpart capital to implement the project. Arrange state budget capital to implement migration and resettlement projects...

"The implementation of the above-mentioned special mechanisms and policies is very urgent to speed up the completion progress, contributing to ensuring national energy security and meeting the electricity demand for the country's socio-economic development in the new era," the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade emphasized.

Presenting the report on the review of the draft Resolution on the special mechanism for developing the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, Mr. Le Quang Huy - Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, said that regarding contractor selection, applying the turnkey bidding package is reasonable to speed up the progress of implementing the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

Mr. Le Quang Huy - Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment.

"However, this form can lead to limited competition, the risk of group interests and lack of transparency in the implementation process. It is recommended that there should be clear regulations on applicable conditions, criteria for selecting contractors, and additional mechanisms to strictly control contract terms, especially commitments on technology, maintenance and technology transfer after project completion," Mr. Huy said.

Regarding financial plans and capital arrangements, mechanisms and policies for Vietnam Electricity Group and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, it is recommended to study and consider specific regulations in the draft Resolution.

Regarding the mechanism to ensure the level of counterpart capital, the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment requested the Government to direct clarification and affirm that the revaluation of assets to supplement equity capital, the retention of all remaining after-tax profits to supplement counterpart capital... is entirely for the sole purpose of implementing the nuclear power project, not for any other purpose.

In addition, there are opinions suggesting that there should be strict regulations on loan limits, interest rates, repayment terms and other related binding conditions... with solutions to control the use of loan capital to ensure proper purposes and effectiveness.

Moonlight

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/kinh-te/chinh-sach/du-an-dien-hat-nhan-ninh-thuan-can-giam-sat-chi-dinh-thau-tranh-loi-ich-nhom/20250214112731121