Integrated Work Plan (24 June 2008)

GOVERNMENTOF VIETNAM

INTERNATIONALATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

INTEGRATED MASTERPLANFORBUILDING THE NUCLEAR POWER INFRASTRUCTURE IN VIETNAM,

2011-2015

31 May 2011

NUCLEAR POWERINFRASTRUCTUREBUILDING IN VIETNAM

IPREAMBLE

Vietnam firmly committed itself to the utilization of the atomic energy for the production of electricity and has given this energy option an important role to play in the national energy mix. The National Assembly has already approved the construction of a first two nuclear power plants of 4000 MWe in total, which will start in 2014 and to commission in 2020. During the period 2021-2030, ten additional nuclear power plants are expected to become operational or under construction so as to respond to the fast growing national demand in electricity.

In October 2010 Vietnam and Russia signed an agreement on building the first NPP, and the Government of Vietnam dicided to construct the second NPP with Japan. In January 2011 the agreement was signed between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of Japan for Cooperation in the development and Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

In order to effectively start the construction of the first nuclear power plants (NPPs) by 2014-2015, to successfully license these facilities and to commission the first unit by 2020, Vietnam needs to build the national nuclear power infrastructure and to meet the requirements of the IAEA Milestones regarding the establishment of a viable nuclear power infrastructure. Vietnam also needs to develop human resources for the management of the nuclear power programme, for the licesing of all construction steps and for the operation of the nuclear power units, including other related activities such as site qualification, electricity grid infrastructure development and public acceptance and communication. At the national level, Vietnam has already established a national steering committee chaired by the Vice Prime Minister to coordinate the nuclear power programme and to address policy and strategic matters, and has also allocated adequate funds for the various activities related to this important national development objective. Through several national and regional projects, the IAEA has been assisting Vietnam in this field through the provision of advisory assistance, guidance, human capacity building as well as essential equipment for site studies. The IAEA support covered all infrastrcutural aspects of a nuclear power programme, including planning, feasibility study, nuclear safety and security, siting as well as human capacity building. Based on the experiebnce gained so far from this sustained cooperation, it is felt necessary to enahnce the performance and efficiency of this assistance by helping Vietnam to develop and implement an Integrated Master Plan (IMP) which will incorporate the national and partners effort in a holistic manner so as to coordinate efforts and actions at all levels. The IMP shall serve as a roadmap and guide to better coordinate all effrots being deployed by the country as well as the IAEA to meet the requirements for a viable nuclear power programme. This IMP shall also incorporate assistance to support the education and training institutions and other stakeholders in the form of human resource development, provision of harmonized teaching materials in nuclear power engineering, guidance and dedicated equipment for site studies. The IMP will be developed and implemented in full harmony with the country’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) which covers the period 2011-2015. During this period of time the IAEA and Vietnam shall continue working together within the framework of this IMP and the CPF to achieve all necessary nuclear power infrastructural Milestones that would enable Vietnam to effectively manage the programme, licence all various steps and later on operate the first nuclear power units.

The IAEA assistance in the short term (mainly 2011) is being provided under the current projects VIE/4015, VIE/9/011 and VIE/9/013 which will end in December 2011, while assistance in the medium term to help Vietnam comply with the 2nd Milestone of the nuclear power introduction will be provided under the new TC cycle 2012/2013. It is expected that the decision regarding the permission to start the construction of the first NPP will be taken in 2013 and the construction begins in 2014. Also, during the 2nd Phase of the Nuclear Power Programme, it is essential to prepare a sound and comprehensive planning and implementation for the Phase 3 development of infrastructure in order to meet the requirements of the Milestone 3 which deals with commissioning of the first nuclear power plants in 2020.

In conclusion, it is expected that the IMP shall help Vietnam achieve the required conditions and meet the infrastructural requirements to support the effective introduction of the first NPPs as well as to make a sound planning for future nuclear power units.

IISIGNIFICANCE AND SCOPE OF THE IMP

Vietnam developed and adopted the following national guiding plans: i) "Strategy for peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to 2020”, ii) the “Master Plan on Development and Application on Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to 2020”, and iii) the “Directive Plan on Development of Nuclear Power in Vietnam up to 2030”, which describe the major tasks to be performed from now until 2020, as follows:

Construction of the first nuclear power plant (NPP): Completion of the site preparation for construction of the first NPP, site qualification and licensing, investment project approval, bidding, preparation of project management staff and key experts for the relevant stakeholders to meet requirements of the plant construction

- Nuclear power technology: building of a core of experts for nuclear power.

- Ensuring nuclear fuel supply security: study on mechanism, policies and solutions for ensuring security of nuclear fuel supply for NPP; investigation and exploration of uranium resources, establishing mechanism and policies on exploitation and commercial use of uranium.

- Management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel: completion of site planning for storage of low and medium radioactive waste; study to formulate management policies; development of the capability in research and development of radioactive waste treatment.

- Ensuring nuclear power safety: issuance of legal documents, standards, technical specifications and procedures for issuing the license of the site and authorizing the design, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of NPP; building the capability of the nuclear safety authority to implement licensing activities related to ensuring nuclear safety for constructional phases of the life-cycle of NPP .

- Strengthening technical support capability: establishment of independent and competent technical support organization to carry out nuclear safety analysis, verification and assessment of site approval, designing and NPP construction licensing; management of environmental radioactivity monitoring system; verification and calibration of related equipments (referring to Annex 4, project VIE2010003); building the technical capability for response to radiological and nuclear emergencies; planning the network of national clinics for treatment of radiological diseases.

- Training and development of nuclear human resources: planning, recruiting and training for project management staff, technical experts, specialists for nuclear technology R&D organizations, technical support organizations and regulatory body; planning for undergraduate and postgraduate education institutes specialized in nuclear power; building policies on training and using nuclear power human resources.

Accordingly, the IMP shall focus on the accomplishment of these tasks taking into consideration the progress achieved so far as well as the main Milestones described in the Infrastructural Issues 1 and 2 of the IAEA’s Guidelines. This mainly includes:

1. Finalize the techno-economic feasibility study for the first two nuclear power units;
2. Strengthening the Regulatory Body and developing licensing procedures, including the establishment of an independent nuclear regulatory body and regulatory competence building. At the same time, it is important to develop licensing procedures for different implementation stages of the first NPPs programme as well as related export and import of goods and services;
3. Preparation of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) and determining the required site specific Design Basis parameters;
4. Site(s) studies (such as geotechnical, seismic, morphological, hydrological parameters, cooling system) and qualification.
5. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the first two NPPs,
6. Human Resource Development, including: i) Development of and concurrence on the comprehensive multileveled staff-training programme for different phases of the NPPs, and ii) Establishment of a Nuclear Engineering Education and Training Centre.Decision making and ownership building, including i) the formulation of institutional framework and upgrading of national electric grid system as well as the establishment of the ownership structure of the project implementation scenario and financing options; ii) finalizing the necessary agreements/contract with suppliers; and iii) Strategy for upgrading the competence and expertise of the Technical Support Organizations (TSOs) to maximize national participation in the NPPs;
7. Emergency response and preparedness,
8. Project management and implementation scenarios,
9. Radioactive waste and spent fuel management to be ready for the two first NPPs; and
10. Planning for the commissioning of the two first NPPs in 2020/21.

II.1Techno-economic feasibility study

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for constructing a new NPP based on local and international laws. The EIA study is to promote assessment of environmental impacts and their consideration in planning and decision-making, which mainly covers the influence of thermal pollution due to the NPP’s waste water release into river, the total inventory of radioactive materials release into the environment for the different phases of NPP operation at the site.

In order to implement the decision made by the Government, Vietnam has already taken several steps in accordance with the IAEA guidance to build its nuclear power infrastructure. In this connection, Vietnam needs to develop and implement the NPP project management and execution approach, financing plans; conclusion of essential agreements/contracts with the vendor, upgrading and adaptation of the national grid system for introduction of NPP, and identification and training of the required human resources for NPP, including the development of the national strategy for nuclear education and comprehensive multilevel training programme for NPP personnel and regulatory body.

In order to carry out the above-mentioned activities and comply with the IAEA Milestones, Vietnam needs to complete the detailed feasibility study for the first two NPPs in collaboration with the IAEA and other partners.

Assistance need may include

1. Capacity building for the operator in preparation for contract, licensing and project management,

2. Support for feasibility study including the technology assessment and selection including reactor type, nuclear island equipment, I&C system, nuclear fuel supply, radioactive waste and spent fuel management.

II.2 Nuclear safety, security and safeguards

In order to ensure nuclear safety for nuclear power plant at all stages, it is necessary to promulgate adequate regulatory documents, standards and technical regulations, processes and procedures for licensing the site, design, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of a nuclear power plant; to have an independent regulatory body; to build sufficient capacity for the regulatory body to license the construction of a nuclear power plant; to build an independent technical support agency capable of analyzing, verifying and assessing nuclear safety; and to build technical capacity for response to radiation and nuclear emergencies. During the past years, Vietnam has made great efforts in formulating and promulgating regulatory documents in nuclear safety. The legal documents, which are insufficient for the introduction of the first nuclear power plants in Vietnam in a safe and effective manner, are being currently actively prepared in collaboration with the IAEA and the EC.. Therefore, international experience exchange through IAEA support is highly important for Vietnam. In addition, Vietnam is facing difficulties in the development of a technical support organization. For these reasons, development of an adequate infrastruture for nuclear safety should be one of the highest priorities for Vietnam in the coming years.

Assistence need may include:

1. Clearly defining the licencing stages,

2. Clearly defining the requirements,

2. Building the capacity of VARANS to asess the licences applicatrions.

The role of VARANS and its interaction, as regulator and as a player in emergency situation?

To ensure complementarity and avoid duplication, the recent EC project for human resource development of VARANS should be seen in conjunction to the IAEA activities.

A wholistic and strategic approach is required to initiate education and training programme in radiation and nuclear safety.

With regard to nuclear security Vietnam partcipated in sevaral training programmes. A national training course was also organized for front line officers. Pedestrian detection equipment was installed in Hanoi Airport.

INSST (guide) was drafted and under discussion.

II.3Technical Support Organizations (TSOs) capacity development

With regard to technical support organizations (TSOs) for nuclear power, radiation safety, assessment and verification, there are increasing demands for the establishment of the TSOs, especially when the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam is put into commissioning and commercial operation, these demands will be much higher. VARANS is planning to develop its own resource of TSO with the aim to advise the Minister of Science and Technology on matters related to nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

On the other hand, VINATOM has several operational centres which are expected to play significant role in the nuclear power programme. These include the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INST), the Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements (ITRRE), the Nuclear Research Institute (NRI), the Non-Destructive Evaluation Centre (NDE), the Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Ho Chi Minh City (CNT), and the Nuclear Training Centre. These centres are in need for upgrading to become able to discharge specific functions of technical and managerial significance to the nuclear power programme. Under the CPF, the IAEA is expected to provide in the short term assistance to help with the human capacity building, upgrading of laboratory facilities and facilitation for accreditation. In the middle term, the IAEA’s assistance will help these institutes introduce specific techniques of high relevance of nuclear power programme.

There is an apparent need to clearly define the role of different TSOs and this requires immediate attention. Detail study of the potential role of national institutions and preparing “instituional mapping” is a prority activity for 2011 and IAEA assistance may be required.

II.4Human resource development

A growing attention is being paid by the Government of Vietnam to the planning, recruiting and training of sufficient project managers and technical specialists for the nuclear power programme in the first instance, but also for the technology research and development institutions, technical support agencies and the nuclear regulatory body. The Government has established a policy and plan on nuclear power training at university and postgraduate institutions. In fact, Vietnam Government recognizes the importance of ensuring sufficient qualified personnel for the first nuclear power plant. In its Decision No. 1558/QD-TTg dated 18 August 2010 on the approval of the Master Planning on “Formation and Development of Human Resources in the field of Atomic Energy” the Government commits itself to allocate an adequate budget for human resource development through, mechanisms and policies to attract high qualified specialists, building of infrastructure, laboratories for research, and local and overseas training. At present, agencies such as VARANS, VINATOM and EVN have plans to develop their human resource based on their own approaches according to their demand and role in the nuclear power programme. As such, one of the challenges in the human resource development of Vietnam is lack of an action plan to implement the above mentioned human resource development strategy for a nuclear power programme in project management, safety assurance as well as research, development and technical support. Under this CPF, the IAEA is expected to assist Vietnam in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for human resource development for the nuclear power programme, including the education strengthening in nuclear power engineering, curriculum hamornization, establishing laboratory facilities for teaching and training of trainers. This would also include sensatization about nuclear knowledge management and retention of skills.

A wholistic and strategic approach is required to initiate a human resource development in support of the NPP. Education training, retention knowledge management and competence building,

IAEA assitance could be required in:

Review of the work force requirement and training need

Developing HRD strategy

Selection of education and training institutions

Developing a harmonized pilot carriculum and training programmes

Establishing training facilities.

The ongointg projects could be used to initiate the activities immediately and the same is recommended to be reflected in the IMP.

In the decission making process due account should be taked about the existing capacity in the nuclear reaserch and training instituions sich as Da Lat Nuclear Reaserch Centre and the training centre in VINATOM.

II.5Radiation safety and radioactive waste management

Vietnam has been developing a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for safety and security of radiation facilities, radioactive sources and radioactive waste. The country has been strengthening its technical capacity through the establishment of modern laboratories on radiation safety and radioactive waste treatment technologies, together with education and training of high qualified experts.

So far, the INST VINATOM has developed a level 2 dose calibration center that meets the tasks of technical support for radiation safety. Howerver, a better technical infrastructure is still needed to comply with the requirements of a nuclear power programme. Therefore, the upgrading of level 2 dose calibration centrer with the support from the IAEA is essential at the current circumstance.