Dr Tien made the statement in Hanoi on January 17 at an international conference on nuclear power, discussing the development of nuclear power in the world to ensure global energy security.

Deputy PM Tien said that after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident in Japan last March, Vietnam is continuing to design a nuclear power program for the country’s socio-economic development, giving top priority to ensuring nuclear security and safety.

The event was co-organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the British Embassy in Vietnam and the World Nuclear Association.

Under the national power development plan, the first nuclear power plants in Vietnam will be put into operation by 2020 and total nuclear power capacity will reach 10,700 MW by 2030, accounting for 10.1 percent of the country’s total electricity output. 

(VOV)