VietNamNet Bridge – Which country should Vietnam cooperate with to implement its nuclear power plans?
That is a difficult question, one which requires that Vietnam consider both the political and scientific issues.
What does Vietnam need for its nuclear power program? (part 1)
Why not Russia?
Russia, for many reasons, is a “default” partner for Vietnam to consider. However, scientists pointed out that the choice of Russia has more weak points than strong when considering technology.
Vietnam, like any other recipient of technology transfer, wants to develop a qualified workforce which can effectively and safely manage and operate nuclear reactors. Therefore, it is important that Vietnam be allowed to fully participate in all the different phases of the reactor development, from design to inspection to construction.
South Korea, for example, learned a lot from its import of Canadian technology for its Hanaro reactor. Since South Korean engineers got involved in different phases of the reactor development, they now have high qualifications in the field, allowing them to design reactors for export.
However, Russia, which does not have an open view of this issue, may refuse the involvement of the Vietnamese engineers during the process. What Russia prefers is a “turnkey” contract – we design it, build it, and certify it, then turn it over to you.
This explains why Russia, when handing over the Da Lat reactor to Vietnam after it helped revive the reactor decades ago, only helped Vietnam train a team to operate the reactor. Only after many years was Vietnam able to build up a workforce with enough qualifications to fulfill the tasks of the national nuclear power program. It did so through many different international cooperation programs with other countries.
Scientists have cautioned that Vietnam should learn the lessons from the Russian experience. Moreover, they say, cooperating with other countries, such as the US, France, UK or Germany, would also be very good for Vietnam.
Recent meetings between Vietnam and Russia have shown that Russia plans to sell to Vietnam the equipment it once used in the 1970s, with no intention of designing a new reactor with updated technologies.
In principle, suppliers need to create products that fit the conditions of the users with the most suitable technologies to satisfy the users’ demand. However, this seems to be a difficult job for Russia.
A reactor with the beryllium reflector like the one suggested by Russia, for example, would be uncompetitive in quality if compared with other reactors in the world.
Vietnam especially must understand that if it chooses Russia as its partner, it will depend on Russia for fuel, because Russian fuel is unique. And once the buyer depends on the seller as the only supplier, the supplier always dictates prices.
Where to set up the new reactor?
It remains a mystery why Da Lat, where there is no industrial production and only one business administration school, was chosen as the site of the first nuclear reactor of Vietnam many years ago.
Vietnam needed the best workers for the reactors, but could not attract them to Da Lat. Many specialists were sent to Da Lat from Hanoi and HCM City. However, many left the city after a short time. Those who stayed in Da Lat were mostly ones from the central region.
It is obvious that Hanoi and HCM City are the biggest markets for radioactive isotopes, which the reactor can produce and market. But the reactor is located hundreds of kilometers far away.
Tia Sang