PETROVIETNAM and Canada Explore Prospects for Nuclear Power Cooperation

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Mr. Le Ngoc Son, Chairman of the PETROVIETNAM Board of Members, receives and holds a working session with H.E. Mr. Jim Nickel, Ambassador of Canada to Viet Nam.

The working session was also attended by Mr. Cao Hoai Duong, Deputy General Director of PETROVIETNAM; Mr. Todd Smith, Vice-President, Marketing and Business Development, Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRéalis company; and representatives of the parties concerned.

H.E. Mr. Jim Nickel, Ambassador of Canada to Viet Nam, speaks at the working session.

Ambassador Jim Nickel noted that the cooperative relationship between Viet Nam and Canada is opening up numerous opportunities in the energy sector, particularly in ensuring energy security and advancing the clean energy transition.

The Ambassador stated that the Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation and clean energy transition between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam and Natural Resources Canada provides a foundation for fostering exchanges between the two countries.

According to Ambassador Nickel, AtkinsRéalis, the Canadian company developing CANDU technology, stands ready to share technical information and experience for PETROVIETNAM’s study and reference.

Mr. Todd Smith, Vice-President, Marketing and Business Development, Candu Energy Inc. (an AtkinsRéalis company), shares insights into CANDU nuclear technology and Canada’s experience in nuclear power development.

Introducing CANDU technology, Mr. Todd Smith noted that the company has experience in the deployment, operation and upgrading of nuclear power plants in many countries.

According to the AtkinsRéalis representative, CANDU technology has more than 50 years of operating experience and uses natural uranium without the need for fuel enrichment, thereby contributing to the diversification of supply sources.

CANDU reactors are capable of on-power refuelling and use a pressure tube system, which facilitates maintenance and equipment replacement.

The Canadian side also shared its experience in developing a domestic supply chain and supporting industries, as well as in training human resources for nuclear power.

Mr. Le Ngoc Son, Chairman of the PETROVIETNAM Board of Members, speaks at the working session.

Chairman Le Ngoc Son welcomed the Canadian delegation and expressed his appreciation for its visit and working session with PETROVIETNAM.

Mr. Le Ngoc Son stated that, alongside the conventional and renewable energy sectors, PETROVIETNAM is studying an expansion into nuclear power in accordance with the mandate assigned by the Government.

Given that Viet Nam is a net energy importer, diversifying supply sources – including through the study of nuclear power – carries long-term significance for national energy security.

Chairman Le Ngoc Son expressed interest in CANDU technology’s ability to use natural uranium and its on-power refuelling capability, while emphasizing the need for further assessment of the technology, its economic efficiency, safety requirements and suitability for Viet Nam.

In particular, Chairman Le Ngoc Son underscored the need to develop human resources for nuclear power. Following a prolonged interruption in project implementation, preparing a qualified workforce of managers, engineers and experts is among the key tasks in support of nuclear power project development.

Mr. Cao Hoai Duong, Deputy General Director of PETROVIETNAM, briefs participants on PETROVIETNAM’s implementation of the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant Project.

Deputy General Director Cao Hoai Duong stated that PETROVIETNAM is currently carrying out investment preparation work, including the study and finalization of the Pre-Feasibility Study Report, while updating requirements regarding technology, safety and the implementation schedule.

According to Mr. Cao Hoai Duong, Vietnamese technical teams have previously engaged mainly with light water reactor (LWR) technology. The exchange with AtkinsRéalis therefore enables the Group to gain further insight into CANDU pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) technology and offers an opportunity for the Group to broaden its reference base in support of its studies in the field of nuclear power.

Delegates attending the working session.

During the working session, the two sides exchanged views on CANDU technology, the potential for equipment localization, supply chain development and human resource training. The Canadian side expressed its readiness to continue sharing information and to organize in-depth technical exchanges with PETROVIETNAM.

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