A list of 12 newly established central-level administrative procedures in the field of radiation and nuclear safety to be approved or issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology has been announced.
The list includes: (1) Approval of nuclear power plant sites; (2) Issuance of construction licenses for nuclear power plants; (3) Approval of trial operation programs for nuclear power plant units; (4) Issuance of trial operation licenses for nuclear power plant units; (5) Issuance of operation licenses for nuclear power plants; (6) Issuance of licenses to terminate the operation (decommissioning) of nuclear power plants; (7) Approval of research reactor sites; (8) Issuance of construction licenses for research reactors; (9) Approval of trial operation programs for research reactors; (10) Issuance of trial operation licenses for research reactors; (11) Issuance of operation licenses for research reactors; and (12) Issuance of licenses to terminate the operation (decommissioning) of research reactors.
Notably, to obtain approval for a nuclear power plant site, the project investor must satisfy following specific site-related requirements:
First, the selection of a nuclear power plant site must comply with national technical regulations. In the absence of such regulations, national standards, foreign standards, foreign technical regulations, or international standards proposed by the project partner may be applied. However, these must ensure suitability with Vietnam’s conditions and comply with the standards and guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security.
Second, a nuclear power plant site shall only be approved when it simultaneously meets the following basic requirements: Consistency with national, regional, and provincial planning, as well as relevant technical and specialized planning; Ensuring the safety of local residents and environmental protection; Ensuring national defense and the security of the nuclear power plant, consistent with national security and social order and safety requirements; and Ensuring the feasibility of radiation and nuclear emergency response plans to mitigate consequences in the event of an incident.
Third, the survey and assessment of the nuclear power plant site must fully consider the following factors: natural and man-made conditions that could affect the safety of the plant; site and environmental characteristics related to the risk of radioactive dispersion; population density, distribution, and the capability for radiation and nuclear emergency response. Simultaneously, it must assess national defense, security, and safety factors, including the risks of unauthorized entry, sabotage, terrorism, and security conditions throughout the plant's entire lifecycle.
Fourth, a site is only determined suitable for a nuclear power plant when there are no exclusionary factors, when adverse factors have feasible mitigation solutions, and when emergency response plans are effective. The assessment must be based on scientific data and methods, considering plant characteristics, the risk of radioactive emissions, cooling water supply capacity, extreme environmental conditions, and factors ensuring the safe and continuous operation of the plant.
Fifth, exclusionary factors for a site include: the presence of active faults in the vicinity of the site; and potential ground motion caused by earthquakes that poses a danger to the nuclear power plant for which no technical solutions exist.
Sixth, adverse factors that must be assessed and provided with demonstrated mitigation measures.
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