Vietnam approves use of civilian nuclear power

Lawmakers in communist Vietnam on Tuesday approved the use of atomic energy for civilian purposes, paving the way for the construction of its first nuclear power plant to feed the booming economy.

Vietnam is heavily reliant on hydro-electric plants and is struggling to meet the growing energy requirements of consumers and an economy that expanded by 8.5 percent last year.
One industry representative said the move was only the “first step” down the road to fulfilling Vietnam’s nuclear ambitions, and said authorities would need to devote “serious funding” to the plan to turn it into reality.

The draft version of the bill — which one official said was very similar to the final draft — said atomic energy would be used “for the purpose of peace and for socio-economic development.”

It also outlined procedures to build nuclear plants to feed an economy whose power needs are rising by more than 15 percent a year.

Asia Times