1. PERSPECTIVE AND CURRENT STATUS OF INTRODUCING NUCLEAR POWER
Nguyen Thi Le Huyen(Mrs)
Deputy Director of National Council for Nuclear Safety Office,
Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety
RCF ANNuR FNRBA workshop on regulatory control
on 6-10 November 2017 in Morocco
It is my pleasure today to discuss with you of the challenge that VARANS and its TSO are facing in order to prepare for the introduction of nuclear power plants into Viet Nam.

2. Content I. NPP Program in Vietnam II. Legal framework development
III. VARANS - National Regulatory Body
IV. The Status of Nuclear Power in Vietnam
V. Conclusion

3. I. NPP Program in Vietnam
State commitment
Strategy on National Energy Development up to 2020 with the vision to 2050:
Operation of the first unit (1,000MW) in 2020s
In 2050, Nuclear Power will provide 20-50% of consumption
Master Plan for National Power Development during the period with the vision to 2030 (Master Plan VII - July 2011):
Operation of the first two units (2x1,000MW) in 2020s
In 2025: 6,000 MW (6.2%)
In 2030: 10,700 MW (7.8%)
2 sites for NPP are investigated and 6 sites are planned for investigation.
This is the roadmap for our first NPP. As I said before, the Milestone 1 has been reached in September It is expected that the bidding process (Milestone 2) will start around and if every thing is going smoothly, the commissioning of the first NPP (Milestone 3) will be in 3

4. I. NPP Program in Vietnam
Component task
Ninh Thuan 1
Ninh Thuan 2
Completion of making FS and Site Application Dossier
2014
Approval of FS and Site Application Dossier
2015, 2016
Signing EPC Contract
Start of Basement Clearance
Construction Permit
First concrete
Start Operation Unit 1

5. I. NPP Program in Vietnam
Siting for 2 first NPPs
Vinh Hai
Phuoc Dinh
Capacity: 2 x 1000 MW
Counterpart: Japan
It is proposed that the NPP will be in 2 sites: Vinh Hai and Phuoc Dinh, Ninh Thuan Province. The first nuclear power plant will consist of 2 units of 1000 MW each and is expected to be constructed in 2014 and in operation by 2020 while the second NPP with a capacity of 2000 MW, also 2 units will be decided later.
Investor: Vietnam Electricity (EVN)
Capacity: 2 x 1000 MW
Construction start: 2014
Commercial operation: 2020
Counterpart: ROSATOM (Russia)
Technology: VVER

6. I. NPP Program in Vietnam
December 2009
MOU on cooperation in the first NPP in Vietnam territory between EVN & ROSATOM
October, 2010
The Inter-Governmental Agreement on cooperation in construction of Ninh Thuan 1 NPP between Government of Vietnam and Government of Russia Federation
November, 2011
Contract for the development of Site Approval Dossier and FS of Ninh Thuan 1 NPP project
Agreement on financing for development of site approval dossier and feasibility study of Ninh Thuan 1 NPP project.
State Export Credit Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of the Russian Federation.
Completion of Site
Approval Dossier and
FS for Ninh Thuan 1 NPP project
Ninh Thuan 1 NPP project:
November, 2012
The Consultant submitted the Investigation Intermediate Report of phase 1.
Continuing to acquire, analyze and process the geological and environmental data
2015
2012
2011
2010
2009

7. I. NPP Program in Vietnam
November, 2012
The investigation work has been principally completed
Continuing to implement additional investigation works, analyze and process collected data and make reports
October 2010
Vietnam - Japan Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Development of Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia
September, 2011
The Consulting services Contract for developing Site Approval Dossier and Feasibility Study of Ninh Thuan 2 NPP Project between Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and the Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC)
MOU for Ninh Thuan 2 NPP Project between EVN and the Japan International Nuclear Energy development Company (JINED)
Completion of Site Approval Dossier and FS for Ninh Thuan 2 NPP project
Ninh Thuan 2 NPP project:
2015
2012
October, 2011
The Arrangement on Cooperation in Construction of Ninh Thuan 2 NPP between the Government of Japan and the Government of Vietnam (SRV) on October 2011
2011
2010

8. II. Legal framework development
Atomic Energy Law
Decree Decisions
Circulars; Regulations
Standards
Directly applied docs
Regulatory docs of Russia and Japan
IAEA Requirements
IAEA Guides
Expert Mission Review Meeting

9. II. Legal framework development
Legal documents updated by June 2013
Law on Atomic Energy
Passed by the National Assembly (Parliament) on June 3, 2008.
Came into force since January 1st 2009
The Law regulates the safe, secured and peaceful use of atomic energy, including participation in and implementation of international treaties/conventions and strengthens the international cooperation
Governmental Decrees (3)
Decree on Guidance of Implementing Several Articles of AE Law (No.07/2010/ND- CP issued on Jan 2010)
Decree on Sanction against Administrative Violations in AE Field (No.111/2010/ND- CP issued on Dec 2009)
Decree on Nuclear Power Plant (No.70/2010/ND-CP issued on June 2010)

10. II. Legal framework development
Ministerial Circulars (28)
on nuclear safety requirements for NPP siting/design,
SAR for siting/design, safe transport, emergency preparedness (facilities, provinces), …
Technical Standards (TS) for site evaluation (5)
TS on evaluation of seismic hazards for NPP
TS on evaluation of geotechnical aspects for site of NPP
TS on evaluation of meteorology for NPP
TS on evaluation of external human induced events for NPP
TS on evaluation of dispersion of radioactive material in air and water and consideration of population distribution for NPP

11. II. Legal framework development
Plan for Development of Legal documents up to 2020
Amend the Law on Atomic Energy
In compliance with recommendations and requirements of IAEA (IRRS, INIR,...), especially on safety and security and international conventions to which Vietnam is contracting party
In conformity to requirements on safe, secured and effective management NPP project
Main amendments: regulatory body, NPP licensing, emergency, civil liability for nuclear damage, security and safeguards
IAEA legislative assistance mission to VARANS for the amendment of the Atomic Energy Law
Signing MOC regarding the improvement of national legal system on compensation for nuclear damage with Japan, August 14, 2012

12. II. Legal framework development
Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities
Significant assistance from IAEA and partners countries (Japan, Russia, USA, EU...)
Updated legal documents of advanced countries and international standards for reference and application
Challenges
Lack of experts, human and financial resources and experience in legal document development
Conflict provisions between AE law and some other laws
Complicate problems due to the different technologies for 2 first NPPs (Russia and Japan technologies)

13. Waiting …..
Resolution of National Assembly (Parliament) for suspend inplementation the Ninh Thuan NNP Projects (No 31/2016/NQ-QH on 22 Nov 2016)

14. III. VARANS - National Regulatory Body
Safety Assessment
PM: Site Approval
MOIT: Operation License
MOST: Construction Permit
Duty and Function of VARANS
VARANS: established in 2003, is an agency belonged to MOST and assists the Minister of S&T in State management of radiation and nuclear safety (Atomic Energy Law, Article 8);
3S: Safety, Security and Safeguards (Non-Proliferation)
Drafting legal and regulatory documents
Assessing and licensing for radiation use
Assessing for research and power nuclear reactors
Doing Inspection

15. I. VARANS - National Regulatory Body
Director General
Management board
Technical Support Center on Radiation , Nuclear Safety and Emergency Response
Center on Information and Training
Div. of Administration and Personnel
Div. of Planning and Finance
Div. of Licensing
Div. of Inspectorate
Div. of Legislation and Policy
Div. of International Cooperation
Regional Centers at Ho Chi Minh City, on TSC for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Emergency Response
Div. of Safety Standard
Division of Nuclear Security and Safeguards
Average age of VARANS staff is about 30

16. IV. The Status of Nuclear Power in Vietnam
Nuclear Facility: Da Lat Nuclear Research Reactor
Address: No. 01 Nguyen Tu Luc, Da Lat city, Lam Dong province
Tel:
Web:
Milestones
: Triga Mark II (US), HEU, kW
: fuel removed and returned to the US
: reconstruction and modification (500kW, HEU, Russian)
1983-now: in operation (1200 hrs/yr)
Sept. 2007: gradual fuel-conversion from HEU to LEU 16

17. V. Conclusion
Vietnam has been making great effort on legal regulation system and human resource development.
National Assembly approved the Resolution No. 31/2016/QH14 to suspend the Ninh Thuan NPP Projects on Nov. 22nd 2016.
Viet Nam continuously maintains and enhances technical capacity on nuclear safety for: (1) coping with risks from NPPs on the neighboring countries; (2) preparing a new MW research reactor project; and (3) resuming the nuclear power program.
Good international cooperation, under IAEA coordinator in particular, contributes to trust building and successful implementation of a safe, secure and peaceful nuclear power program.
Vietnam hope to continuously receive the support from IAEA, EC, developed countries in education, and sharing experience and knowledge for development nuclear power program.

18. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.varans.vn
Thank you!