Priority given to safe nuclear energy

TOKYO — Viet Nam gave top priority to safety in its development of nuclear energy, a senior official said at the 12th ministerial meeting of the Forum on Nuclear Co-operation in Asia (FNCA) in Tokyo yesterday.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Dinh Tien said "the Fukushima nuclear accident reminds us to develop and use nuclear power for peaceful purposes in a responsible way, in which ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety is the first priority".

Viet Nam's energy policy now relied on diverse energy sources, he said, noting that the country was facing the exhaustion of its limited fossil-fuel sources, while energy consumption was increasing rapidly.

"We understand that nuclear power is a clean energy source with no carbon dioxide emissions and it could be considered as a feasible option to meet the country's demand for energy," he said.

Viet Nam had decided to continue its nuclear energy programme, Tien said, adding that under the new plan for electricity development for 2011-2020 with an orientation to 2030, which was adopted by the Government last July, Viet Nam's first nuclear power plant will open by 2020.

The share of nuclear power in total power generation will reach 10.1 per cent by the year 2030.

To achieve its nuclear goals, Viet Nam was focusing on developing sound nuclear infrastructure, including legal and regulatory systems, human resource development, technical support and enhancing safety, security and non-proliferation, Tien said.

He also stressed the importance of regional and international co-operation, including through FNCA projects on safety management systems for nuclear facilities, radiation safety and radio-active waste management, along with nuclear security and safeguards.

The 12th FNCA ministerial meeting gathered officials rom 13 FNCA member countries. — VNS