Việt Nam seeks French support for nuclear energy development

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính receives EDF's Senior VP Government and International Affairs Erkki Maillard in Hà Nội on Wednesday. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Wednesday called on the Électricité de France (EDF) to expand investment in green and clean energy in Việt Nam, while also supporting Vietnamese partners in developing nuclear power projects.

Receiving French Ambassador to Việt Nam Olivier Brochet and EDF's Senior VP Government and International Affairs Erkki Maillard in Hà Nội, Chính appreciated the role of French partners in general and EDF in particular in the projects currently operating in Việt Nam, which have contributed to developing the Việt Nam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in an increasingly intensive, substantive, and effective manner.

He stated that Việt Nam aims for an economic growth rate of 8 per cent or higher in 2025 and double-digit rates in the coming period. As a result, the demand for electricity is expected to increase by 12-16 per cent annually. In addition, Việt Nam is promoting economic development based on science and technology, innovation, especially emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and big data, which will significantly drive the demand for electricity, he added.

According to Ambassador Olivier Brochet, EDF is a multinational energy group operating in the fields of energy production, transmission, distribution, business, and services. It has cooperated effectively in Việt Nam through projects such as the Phú Mỹ 2 Thermal Power Plant and Sơn Mỹ 1 Power Plant. France, specifically EDF, boasts extensive experience and some of the world’s most advanced nuclear energy technologies.

Therefore, France in general and EDF wish to continue expanding cooperation and investment in Việt Nam in the energy sector, in line with the Việt Nam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in the development of renewable energy projects. They are particularly interested in participating in Việt Nam's nuclear power projects, he noted.

PM Chính suggested that France continue to work with Việt Nam to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including cooperation in science-technology and innovation, particularly in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, big data, as well as in cultural, scientific, technical, and healthcare cooperation.

Agreeing with EDF’s proposal to develop clean energy in Việt Nam, the PM noted that the Vietnamese government has issued a scheme to implement the National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-30, with a vision to 2050. The scheme aims for a strong transition from fossil fuels to new energy sources, renewable energy, and nuclear power, contributing to the goals committed in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and the net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Regarding nuclear power development, the Prime Minister said that Việt Nam has restarted the investment plan for the Ninh Thuận 1 and Ninh Thuận 2 nuclear power plants in the central province of Ninh Thuận, and many partners have showed their interest in cooperating with the country in this field. Việt Nam will prioritise choosing partners who can commit to joining Vietnamese investors in technology transfer during the development of nuclear power in the country, he noted.

The Prime Minister urged France and EDF in particular to help Việt Nam develop policies and mechanisms for nuclear power development. He also called for collaboration with and advice for Việt Nam to select the most modern and advanced nuclear technologies available today.

Chính also suggested exploring cooperation in training human resources, providing preferential funding for nuclear power projects in Việt Nam, and investing in the production of electrical equipment and support industries serving nuclear energy development in Việt Nam. — VNS