Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BY
PICHAYATHIDA SIRIWECHDARUK
(Bee) G.11-9
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
Introduction
Since the idea of using nuclear power for generating electricity was introduced in
1951, many developed countries established their own nuclear power plants. Nuclear power
is known as one of the alternative energy sources that are both sustainable and low in cost
(Outline History of Nuclear Energy, 2014). Due to the stated reasons, many of the
developing countries are planning to establish their own nuclear power plants as well.
Vietnam had been considering building their nuclear power plants since 1995, with the help
from Russia and Japan. However, Vietnams government had canceled the plans despite the
high investments made and the oppositions from the people who supported the plan. Even
though nuclear power is a sufficient and clean electricity power source, Vietnam should not
establish their own nuclear power plants due to the lack of readiness, possible negative
effects on both the environment and citizens health and the availability of alternative energy
forms within the country. The establishment of nuclear power plants and its effects is an
important issue to discuss due to the popularity of using nuclear energy as an alternative in
various countries within the world and the lack of knowledge in terms of the negative effects
of nuclear power plants on people and the environment. Thus, the resolution to cancel the
The first reason that supports the cancellation of the plans in Vietnam is that Vietnam
is still not ready; especially in terms of financial support, skilled labors, and public
knowledge. According to the World Nuclear Association, Vietnam has postponed the plan to
establish its own nuclear power plant several times due to the financial problems within the
country. Although both Japan and Russia agreed to finance $ 9.53 billion for the plants,
Vietnam still has to face the difficulties funding the plants and the education for nuclear-
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
related occupations. In addition, Vietnam has to face the economic problems which would
also decrease Vietnams financial capability (Nuclear Power in Vietnam, 2017). The
consequence of the lack of financial investment in educating Vietnam citizens is the lack of
skilled labors. Brian Molly, technical head of human resource of International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) had given an interview regarding the lack of skilled workers within Vietnam
at the Human Resources Development for Nuclear Power seminar. He stated that Vietnam
needed to develop a practical and detailed plan about how to develop the needed human
resources for the nuclear industry. It was discussed within the seminar that Vietnam lacks
additional 5,000 workers in order to meet the sufficient skilled worker level (Nuclear
industry short of workers, 2014). Also, it was stated that additional seven to ten years is
needed to train sufficient amount of skilled workers, such as nuclear engineer, nuclear reactor
operator or engineering technicians. On the other hand, the survey held by Vietnam
government under the supervision of FNCA to determine public knowledge and awareness
about nuclear energy in college and high school students shows the lack of knowledge about
nuclear energy in Vietnam students. Only 9.5% of high school students and 19.7% of college
students stated that they know nuclear energy well. Next, the majority of both college
students and high school students stated that the best energy source for the environment due
to the lowest emission of CO2 (Carbon dioxide) is wind power. Moreover, the majority of
high school students stated that solar energy is the best energy source (Public Opinion
Survey on Nuclear Energy in Seven FNCA Countries, 2011). The information provided by
the survey shows that nuclear power is not yet publicly known in Vietnam citizens; in this
case, Vietnam students. All of the evidence stated show that Vietnam is still lacking in terms
of readiness to establish their own nuclear power plants. Lack of readiness of Vietnam is one
of the reasons that support the cancellation of the plan to establish nuclear power plant in
Vietnam.
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
Another aspect that supports the cancellation is that having nuclear power plants in
Vietnam could harm Vietnams environment and citizens health. Leakage of radioactive
substances from the plants is possible in Vietnam due to the susceptibility to natural disaster,
the lack of disposal or storage plan of nuclear waste and the lack of readiness in terms of
nuclear security legal framework. Studies conducted by scientists from Vietnam Institute of
Geoscience and Mineral Resources stated that Ninh Thuan, where the two new nuclear power
plants are to be established, is prone to the earthquakes caused by the fault lines within the
nearby areas, especially in Suoi Mia and Vinh Hai. Moreover, another study conducted by the
team of scientist from Italy had claimed that Vietnam is prone to the tsunamis that originated
from the South China Sea. (Ogilvie-White, 2014). Due to the possible disaster impacts,
chances of nuclear accidents within Vietnam is high. Effect of nuclear accidents caused by
natural disasters could include radiation, contamination of water sources within a nation,
leakage of radioactive substances, and if leakage was caused by tsunamis, the water in the
South China Sea could also be contaminated due to the radioactive substances that were
swept into the sea by the waves. For nuclear waste management problems, a study by NTS
founded that Vietnam has not adopted a plan about the disposal of nuclear wastes for both
arrangement for either reprocess or disposal of nuclear wastes for the Japanese-financed
nuclear power plant. The Leakage of nuclear wastes in the process of storage and disposal
could be the cause of cancerous diseases, genetic problems in both animal and plants, and
contamination to the ocean with radioactive substances. The nuclear waste is hazardous for
both citizens health and the environment (Cabellero-Anthony, Cook, Trajano, & Sembiring,
2014). Lastly, the proceeding of the International Nuclear Science, Technology and
Engineering Conference 2016 (NuSTEC 2016) held in Malaysia on January 6, 2017, stated
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
that there are international concerns about Vietnam and the establishment of nuclear power
plants within the nation. The first concern is that Vietnams emergency protocol lacks in
terms of conformance with IAEAs preparedness and response standards. The second
concern is the lack of security and future spent fuel management plan. The possible future
problems caused by the governments rush to establish nuclear power plants within the nation
is the third concern. Finally, the last concern is that Vietnam Agency for Radiation and
Nuclear Safety (VARANS) is seen as not able to regulate the operation, especially operations
for nuclear safety due to the lack of independence (Jais & Hassan, 2017). The international
concerns over the security policy of nuclear power plants in Vietnam show that the
establishment of nuclear power plants in Vietnam could affect citizens health and the
environment due to the lack of nuclear security, which could cause leakage, radiation or
nuclear accidents. These are examples of how nuclear power plants could affect Vietnams
environment and citizens health badly. The hazardous effect of nuclear is one of the reasons
why the cancellation of the plans to establish nuclear power plants should be supported.
Although that it was claimed by various sources that nuclear power would be the best
new and sufficient source of electrical energy in Vietnam, many pieces of evidence
contradicts the statement. Despite the nuclear power being a renewable and a sufficient
source of energy for some countries, it was predicted that nuclear power would produce the
least amount of electricity compared to other energy sources available in Vietnam. According
generation through various sources shows that nuclear energy would be the source of energy
that would produce the least amount of electricity among all of the sources. Nuclear energy
will generate only about 8% of the total electricity in 2030. Also, it was shown that coal and
hydroelectricity will remain as the main source of electricity with 56% and 16% of the total
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
electricity generated respectively (Johnson & Slater-Thompson, 2015). The research carried
out by graduate students of the University of Texas shows that biomass and hydropower are
the major energy sources in Vietnam. It was predicted by using the current information
regarding energy generation by using various sources of energy and consumption of energy
that approximately 78% of the total energy consumption would be from combustible
renewables and wastes such as biomass and about 22% would be from hydropower (Alfaro,
Espinoza, Mendez, Servin, & Vazquez, 2013). During the 2nd Asian Science and Technology
Forum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thuc (2006) the director of the Institute of Meteorology and
Hydrology stated that there are abundant of other energy sources other than nuclear power
available in Vietnam. There are approximately 150 million tons of coal, 600 million barrels
of oil, 0.2 trillion cubic meters and 120 billion kWh of hydropower available in Vietnam.
Moreover, there are other sources of energy available in Vietnam such as geothermal, wind,
Conclusion
Vietnam governments decision to cancel the plans for the establishment of nuclear
power plants should be supported. Nuclear power does not suit Vietnam due to the lack of
skilled workers and public knowledge, possible harmful effects to the environment and
citizens health and the insufficiency of nuclear power in electricity generation. The
establishment of nuclear power plants would have more negative effects rather than positive
effects on Vietnam, and hence the plan to establish the plants should be abolished. Various
articles, professional opinion shows that Vietnam is not ready for the establishment of
nuclear power plants. Moreover, the survey supervised by FNCA supported that Vietnam is
indeed, not ready for the usage of nuclear power in electricity generation. On the other hand,
the study conducted by the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS) states the
possible negative effects on the health of citizens and the environment from the presence of
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
nuclear energy in Vietnam. Furthermore, researches and statistic analyzations show the
insufficiency of nuclear power in electricity generation. Since the use of nuclear power in
electricity generation is being considered by various nations at the moment, it is important for
all people to acknowledge the possible effects resulted from the nuclear power plants;
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
References
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANS IN VIETNAM Pichayathida Siriwechdaruk (Bee) G.11-9
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