Vietnam Electricity Group Plans to Train Over 2,000 Specialists for Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Project

Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has launched a talent assurance program for the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Project, aiming to train over 2,000 specialists for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility. As Vietnam's first nuclear power project, the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Project must simultaneously address key issues such as the legal framework, project financing, restructuring of implementing agencies, and acceleration of investment preparation while advancing human resource readiness.

EVN stated that it is cooperating with the Ministry of Education and Training, international nuclear technology partners, and relevant institutions with nuclear energy experience to develop a systematic education and training program for Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Project personnel. According to preliminary arrangements, the project management organization will require approximately 400 personnel, responsible for construction investment, technical, environmental, safety, legal affairs, and international cooperation; the nuclear power plant's operation and maintenance positions are expected to require approximately 1,700 to 1,800 personnel.

In terms of human resource allocation, EVN plans to select personnel from relevant professional fields, first conducting basic training, then progressively advancing to higher technical education, nuclear technology transfer, and operational training. Overseas partners, including nuclear technology suppliers, will participate in the training and technology transfer process to support subsequent engineering construction and plant operation and maintenance capacity building.

In addition to talent development, EVN must also improve the legal, technical standards, and guideline systems required for the nuclear power project, ensuring they comply with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements and the relevant standards of the technology supplier countries. EVN believes that during project preparation and construction, situations may arise that are not fully covered by existing laws, making it necessary to establish a special regulation mechanism as soon as possible to provide a legal basis for addressing new issues, rather than amending existing legal provisions on a case-by-case basis.

Financing is also one of the core tasks in project advancement. EVN needs to conduct large-scale capital mobilization, establish financial models, and promote the signing of credit agreements. To achieve the goal of bringing two reactors of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant into operation between 2030 and 2035, EVN needs to simultaneously advance the completion of investment procedures, selection of technical solutions, implementation of financing, construction supervision, and safety inspections, while controlling project progress under the premise of ensuring safety standards and engineering quality.

EVN also stated that in addition to operation and maintenance technical personnel, the project requires specialists in contract management, finance, legal affairs, and international cooperation negotiations. The company plans to disclose project information to local governments and residents, and cooperate with relevant agencies to ensure safety in the areas surrounding the proposed site, seeking understanding and support from local communities for the project construction.

Currently, EVN is accelerating the preparation of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Project, including drafting documents related to adjusting investment policies, participating in negotiations on intergovernmental construction cooperation agreements, and cooperating with government agencies in Vietnam's nuclear infrastructure assessment. At the same time, EVN is enhancing project execution capacity by restructuring the project management framework, selecting consulting agencies, and drawing on the experience of overseas partners, while participating in the development of the legal framework, technical regulations, and standards required for nuclear power plant construction.

According to the plan, EVN will also cooperate with Khanh Hoa Province to advance site clearance and resettlement work, progressively receive nuclear technology transfers from technical partners in phases, and continuously conduct professional talent training, laying the foundation for the future construction, operation, and maintenance of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Project.