French Group EDF Supports Nuclear Power Development In Vietnam

The French Electric Power Group (EDF), one of the world’s leading energy corporations, has expressed its desire to cooperate with Vietnam in the nuclear power development project. Learn about EDF’s impressive profile and this potential collaboration.

EDF Desires To Cooperate In Nuclear Power Development In Vietnam

On the afternoon of March 12th, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh received the French Ambassador to Vietnam, Olivier Brochet, and Mr. Erkki Maillard, Director of International and Government Affairs, Advisor to the Chairman of the French Electric Power Group (EDF). During the meeting, EDF representatives expressed particular interest in participating in supporting Vietnam in the development of nuclear power projects, a project considered a “national priority.”

Mr. Olivier Brochet introduced EDF as a multinational energy corporation operating in various fields, including electricity generation, transmission, distribution, energy trading, and energy services, with a history of effective cooperation in Vietnam through projects such as Phu My 2 Thermal Power Plant and Son My 1 Power Plant. The French Ambassador emphasized that France and EDF possess world-leading advanced nuclear power experience and technology, therefore desiring to expand cooperation and investment in Vietnam, especially in the fields of renewable energy and nuclear power.

Vietnam Welcomes And Proposes Specific Cooperation With EDF

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh agreed with EDF’s proposal for clean energy development, stating that Vietnam has approved the National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, aiming for a strong energy transition towards new, renewable, and nuclear energy sources. Regarding the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power projects, Vietnam will prioritize partners capable of technology transfer.

The Prime Minister made specific proposals for France and EDF to cooperate with Vietnam in nuclear power development, including:

• Researching and consulting on the development of policy mechanisms.
• Cooperating in selecting modern and superior technology.
• Studying the possibility of cooperation in human resource training.
• Providing concessional loans for projects.
• Cooperating in investing in the production of equipment and supporting industries.

In addition, the Prime Minister requested France to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, including cooperation in science and technology, innovation, especially emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the internet of things, big data, as well as cultural, scientific-technical, and medical cooperation.

Impressive Profile Of The French Electric Power Group (EDF)

EDF is a world-leading energy corporation with a revenue of over $150 billion USD, established in 1946 through the nationalization of numerous energy companies. EDF operates diversely in electricity generation fields such as nuclear power, hydropower, marine energy, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and fossil fuel. In 2009, EDF was the world’s largest electricity producer, currently operating 56 nuclear reactors across 18 sites. The French government completed the nationalization of EDF in June 2023. In 2023, EDF’s revenue reached 139 billion euros (over $151 billion USD), with a large global power generation portfolio.

Vietnam Assigns EVN And Petrovietnam As Investors For Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project

Previously, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh assigned the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) as the investor for the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam – PVN) as the investor for the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant. The Prime Minister emphasized that nuclear power development is a “national priority” issue, requiring high focus and close cooperation.