Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Dang Dinh Tien and US Ambassador Michael Michalak on March 30 signed a memorandum of understand (MoU) on nuclear energy cooperation.

Tien regards that signing as demonstrating the two government’s views on using nuclear energy safely and to serve peaceful goals, strengthening cooperation in training human resources, developing technical infrastructure and standards to ensure nuclear safety and providing reliable fuel sources.

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of normalized Vietnam-US relations, Ambassador Michalak noted that this is an important step in bilateral ties to promote the common goal of nuclear non-proliferation.

“I guess that our signatures will be grounds for the negotiation of an agreement on using nuclear power for peaceful purposes, allowing the two countries to cooperate in nuclear energy at deeper and wider levels,” remarked Michalak.

According to the ambassador, this MoU will facilitate the two countries’ cooperation, including defining a reliable source of nuclear fuel for Vietnam’s civil nuclear piles.

In late 2009 the National Assembly approved investment in nuclear power projects. Accordingly, construction of Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant with two turbines of 2000MW will begin in 2010. This plant is scheduled to become operational in 2020. A plan for the second plant is not set yet. The estimated investment capital for this project is up to 200 trillion dong.

Vietnam has signed bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with Russia, China, France, India, South Korea and Argentina.

Vietnam will use the renovated light water moderated reactors in its first nuclear plant.