Japan Keen on Vietnam Nuclear Power Project
A group of Japanese electric power companies expressed interest in a contract to conduct a feasibility study on building a nuclear power plant in Vietnam.
The feasibility study is expected to begin by late 2007, an official from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry said.
The Japanese group said winning the contract is good for Japanese nuclear power plant builders, because Japan plans to build only one facility in the coming year.
It added the Japanese Government will support its nuclear power companies entering foreign markets to maintain technologies and develop its talent.
South Korean and French companies also joined the bid, according to the weekly Vietnam Industrial Magazine.
Vietnam is now heavily reliant on hydropower, which constitutes more than 50 per cent of its electricity production. However, unstable water input is a headache for hydropower.
Current electricity generation fails to meet national demand, hence blackouts are frequent throughout the country.
During this year’s dry season, Vietnam expects shortages of about 600 million kWh due to severe draughts caused by the El Nino Effect. It urged citizens to save 1,000 million kWh of electricity this year. (Vietnam Industrial Times)
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