Vietnam has announced plans to revive its nuclear energy program to address its expanding energy needs, according to a government statement on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, speaking before the National Assembly in Hanoi, explained that his administration is pursuing nuclear energy to support “long-term, rapid, and sustainable socio-economic development.” He emphasized that, to sustain double-digit economic growth, the country’s energy demand could rise by 150%.
Despite its current reliance on fossil fuels, Vietnam has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This target is supported by the Just Energy Transition Partnership, an initiative where developed nations assist developing countries in adopting cleaner energy sources.
Vietnam initially abandoned two planned nuclear power projects in 2016 due to environmental and financial concerns, as cost projections had doubled to $18 billion. If completed, these facilities would have been the first nuclear plants in Southeast Asia.
