Chairwoman Vuong Dinh Hue of Vietnam’s National Assembly has asked the Government to direct the Ministry of Industry and Trade to soon propose a time to terminate the planning of nuclear power plant projects in Ninh Thuan.
On the afternoon of November 6, Chairman Hue worked with leaders of Ninh Thuan province on the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in the first 9 months of 2021 and the results of the implementation of the National Assembly’s resolution on stopping the investment policy of nuclear power projects in Ninh Thuan.
At the meeting, the National Assembly Standing Committee agreed with the proposal for the Government to study and extend the application of the wind power tariff until March 31, 2022, especially for projects that have been completed but have not yet been put into operation because of the current impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This can be considered as one of the solutions to recover and develop the economy after the pandemic, in such a context for us to remove difficulties and obstacles for businesses,” Hue said.
Regarding the solar power price mechanism, the country’s top legislator suggested the Government direct agencies, especially the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, issue it soon for bidding to select project investors. This is a problem that is entangled but under the authority of the Government.
Projects with a plan but without pricing, a mechanism cannot be implemented. Therefore, the National Assembly Chairman suggested that the Government, ministries, and branches focus on the early completion of this issue.
The top legislator asked the Government to direct ministries and branches to consider allowing Ninh Thuan to apply the 10% on-lending rate for new investment projects using important and urgent ODA capital.
Regarding the proposal to support 100% of reciprocal capital for important projects using foreign capital, any issue within their competence, the Government and the Prime Minister shall proactively handle and report to the National Assembly Standing Committee in accordance with regulations.
Regarding the project of stabilizing production and people’s life at the positions previously planned for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant, the National Assembly Chairman asked the Government to direct ministries and branches to comply with the conclusions of the National Assembly. In particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade should soon propose to the Government to decide the time to terminate the planning of nuclear power plant projects.
Hue also stated that Resolution 31 of the National Assembly and Resolution 115 of the Government both have policies to develop liquefied natural gas (LNG) power sources, try to put them into planning sooner.
Regarding electricity grid investment, if prepared in time, Hue said he would report to the National Assembly for consideration at the thematic session at the end of this year. The project to amend the Electricity Law also mentions the issue of investing in the power transmission system to create conditions for all economic sectors to participate in the construction of power grid infrastructure.
At the meeting, the Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee Tran Quoc Nam affirmed that Resolution 31 of the National Assembly and Resolution 115 of the Government are important for the development of the province.
In the period of 2019-2020, Ninh Thuan belongs to the group of provinces with the highest GRDP growth rate in the country; budget revenue reached nearly VND4 trillion dong, 3 years ahead of the target set by the Resolution of the Provincial Party Congress.
Representatives of agencies of the National Assembly and the Government shared with Ninh Thuan’s difficulties when the climatic conditions were harsh and the starting point was low. However, in 9 months of 2021, Ninh Thuan’s economy grew steadily in all fields with GRDP increasing by 9.45%; the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors have developed well, continuing to be the pedestal of the local economy.
Notably, Ninh Thuan is gradually building and developing into a renewable energy center of the country. The province has attracted a number of large and strategic investors in many large-scale and pervasive projects.
Thoibao.de (Translated)
