Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant is set to be constructed in 2015 and will commence operations in 2020 under a turnkey model. This information is part of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Strategy, recently approved by the government.
According to the “Strategy for the Peaceful Application of Nuclear Energy by 2020,” Vietnam aims to increase the share of nuclear power to about 11% of the total national electricity output by 2025, and to 25-30% by 2040-2050.
| Nuclear power currently accounts for over 16% of the total electricity generation worldwide. Moreover, the profits generated from the application of radiation energy are seven times higher than the investment made in it, with some sectors yielding up to 40 times. |
In addition to nuclear power, atomic energy is widely applied in various fields of life, such as healthcare, agriculture, geology, and mineral exploration… (in this context, it is referred to as radiation energy). In Vietnam, the healthcare sector utilizes nearly 90% of radiation facilities, while the rest is allocated to industry and other sectors.
Therefore, the strategy also sets a goal that by 2010, Vietnam will be able to produce half of its demand for isotopes and radioactive pharmaceuticals, with half of the provinces housing nuclear medicine and radiation therapy facilities. By 2020, the target for both categories will be 100%.
