Likhachev told about the return to the project of NPP construction in Vietnam

Vietnam intends to return to the project of construction of the nuclear power plant (NPP) "Ninh Thuan-1", the Russian Federation offers construction on the basis of two power units. This was announced to journalists on January 15 by Alexei Likhachev, head of the state corporation Rosatom.

"It is clear that the time has passed. A whole range of parameters need to be revised. <...> The technical appearance is clear to us. We will propose to build two VVR-1200 units, the most advanced, the most modern. As you know, there are only six of them in the world," Likhachev said.

He reminded that four such units are operating in Russia - at Novovoronezh and Leningrad NPPs, two more - in Belarus, and the construction of such facilities continues all over the world, for example, in Turkey, Hungary, Egypt, China and Bangladesh.

Likhachev pointed out that 10 years ago Moscow and Hanoi signed intergovernmental agreements concerning the construction of Ninh Thuan-1. In 2016, Vietnam suspended the development of nuclear power due to various reasons, but now the republic's leadership has decided to resume work because the nuclear power plant will help develop the economy, modernize industry and cover the needs of growing energy consumption. The visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to the republic opened a new page of cooperation in the nuclear sphere.

The head of Rosatom pointed out that the organization will offer Vietnam the safest, most modern and efficient nuclear power plant, which will initially consist of two power units. In addition, the Russian state corporation will continue to work on training. It will need to increase the current record numbers of trained young specialists, and it will need to create conditions for them to undergo mandatory internships at nuclear power plants in Russia or at plants outside Russia, but built according to Russian design.

Likhachev shared that over the past six years, Rosatom has trained about 400 skilled workers from Vietnam, and they work at the research reactor and even in the power system. For example, Vietnamese girls are working at the corporation's project in Bangladesh.

In addition, it was decided to build a new research reactor of Russian design with a capacity of 15 MW, and this characteristic can be increased later. The contract has already been signed, the equipment is being prepared, and in 2027 it is planned to start the construction of the reactor directly. Importantly, Hanoi is actively participating in the multi-purpose research reactor project, including working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The day before, on January 14, Mishustin said Moscow and Hanoi will approve a cooperation plan until 2030. The head of the Russian government called Vietnam an important partner of the Russian Federation in Southeast Asia.

Prior to that, on January 13, Mishustin flew to Vietnam on an official visit. Following the talks, representatives of Moscow and Hanoi signed several joint documents.