Prime Minister’s Directive No. 01 requires that annual electricity output needs to increase by 12-16% to ensure GDP growth, 8% this year and double-digit growth in the 2026-2030 period.

This is a requirement set forth in Directive No. 01 of the Prime Minister on proactive solutions to ensure adequate electricity supply for production, business and people’s lives during peak periods in 2025 and the 2026-2030 period.

This is a huge challenge if there is no quick solution to develop power sources and transmission infrastructure. Therefore, on the afternoon of January 7, implementing the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Directive 01, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held an online conference with localities and energy enterprises to urge and remove difficulties to promote the implementation of power source projects, transmission projects and solutions to meet electricity needs. It is worth mentioning that the issues of each project of each type of power source were brought up for discussion.

For power projects expected to be completed and put into operation this year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade requires investors to speed up progress. For example, Nhon Trach 3 and 4 Thermal Power Plants. This is the first LNG-fueled thermal power plant in Vietnam. The Ministry of Industry and Trade requires them to generate electricity and strive for commercial operation in the first quarter of this year. The remaining projects also need to speed up.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien – Minister of Industry and Trade said: “For gas-fired power projects that already have investors, including Hiep Phuoc phase 1, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Quang Trach 2, Hai Lang phase 1, O Mon 1,2,3,4, investors are requested to urgently complete investment preparation procedures and develop a specific roadmap for implementation. Strive to complete and put into operation before 2030”.

Regarding the hydropower projects that are being and will be implemented, a representative of Vietnam Electricity Group said that this year, a number of hydropower projects will be connected to the grid and construction of a number of new hydropower projects will begin.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – General Director of Vietnam Electricity Group said: “The Hoa Binh Hydropower Expansion Project will generate electricity with 2 units in 2025. Quang Trach 1 Plant will test unit 1 in September this year and unit 2 in 2026. The Tri An Hydropower Expansion Project and the Bac Ai Hydropower Project will be launched in the first quarter of this year.”

Along with power source projects, at today’s meeting, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also gave instructions on speeding up the progress of power transmission projects such as the 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power line project and other power line projects to ensure electricity during the dry season this year and the following years.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien – Minister of Industry and Trade said: “We request localities to actively deploy to attract investment in the power transmission system, that is, below 110kV. Create favorable conditions for Vietnam Electricity Group as well as investors to implement inter-regional power transmission grid projects according to the approved Power Plan VIII , such as the Vinh Yen – Lao Cai project is just a typical example. EVN must focus on completing the construction of the 500kV Monsoon – Thanh My and 220kV Nam Sum – Nong Cong lines to be completed by the second quarter of this year at the latest”.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also said that the adjusted Power Plan VIII will be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval before February 28. The Ministry also directed functional units to urgently review locations for additional offshore wind power planning and assist investors in completing survey procedures.

People agree on building nuclear power plant

One of the important solutions requested by the Prime Minister in Directive No. 1 is to focus on directing the implementation and completion of the investment in the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant project within 5 years. Because the demand for electricity consumption is forecast to continue to increase. If we form large-scale data centers, electricity output may need to increase by up to 20%.

It is expected that there will be 2 nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan province with a total area of ​​about 800 hectares. According to initial estimates, more than 800 households in the area will need to be relocated.

Many households in the planning area for the project have expressed their high consensus. For nearly two decades, people have been prepared to create favorable conditions for the project, which is expected to be a driving force to bring the country forward in the new era.

The core land of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant is in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district. The total construction area on land is about 430 hectares. It is expected that more than 350 households will have to be relocated to serve the project.

A representative of Phuoc Dinh commune said that after the decision to restart the nuclear power project was made, the commune government carried out propaganda work and collected opinions from people in the affected area.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hai – Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phuoc Dinh Commune, Thuan Nam District, Ninh Thuan said: “The Party Committee, People’s Council and People’s Committee have directed each household to propagate. They distributed ballots to households to clearly understand the restart of the nuclear power plant, and over 90% of households agreed and supported.”

More than 30km away, the area is also planned to build the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power project. Having been attached to this land all their lives, Mr. Ngoc Anh’s family has more than 6 hectares of land for living and production. In the early days of 2025, he continued to take care of his family’s garlic garden. But when the government announced the restart of the nuclear power project, he and his family expressed their agreement.

“According to the Party and State’s policies, people generally follow the State’s policies. After starting the nuclear power plant, because it is a special project, we request that if there is compensation, it should be appropriate for the people, or help the lonely elderly to have a better life than in their old place,” said Mr. Vo Ngoc Anh, Thai An village, Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan.

For farmers like Mr. Anh, who have spent their whole lives working in vineyards and garlic fields, they also hope that the nuclear power project, once implemented, will help change the face of their homeland.

Nuclear power project contributes to changing local economy

People expect and local authorities also hope that nuclear power projects will become a new growth engine. When working in Ninh Thuan, we noticed that there are large solar power fields and wind power towers stretching along the roads. Deploying more nuclear power projects will help Ninh Thuan have the opportunity to become the clean energy and sustainable energy center of the whole country.

“After building the nuclear power plant, it will contribute to the local development in all aspects. For example, investing in 3 roads, investing in embankments for the people, secondly, it will support the people to develop their living places”, Mr. Nguyen Duy Hai – Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district, Ninh Thuan shared.

Mr. Nguyen Truc Hoa – Vice Chairman of Ninh Hai District People’s Committee, Ninh Thuan said: “First, creating green, clean energy. Second, the economic growth rate of the people will certainly increase. Third, attracting investment resources such as tourism and services”.

Not only ensuring energy security , nuclear power also meets the requirements of green and sustainable development , because it is considered a type of energy that emits almost no carbon, replacing current fossil fuel sources.