To ensure the project is implemented on schedule and with quality, the Government proposed that the National Assembly issue a series of specific mechanisms and policies for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.
This morning (February 14), the National Assembly listened to the Government’s Report proposing special mechanisms and policies for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.
Designate the bid for the “turnkey” package
On behalf of the Government, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien briefly reported on the content of specific mechanisms and policies for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project. The focus of the specific policy mentioned is to empower the Government and the investor with many powers and responsibilities.
In which, simultaneously deploy the work of negotiating agreements and agreements with partners in parallel with the process of preparing documents and approving adjustments to investment policies and approving investment projects.
Regarding contractor selection, the Government proposed that the National Assembly allow the Prime Minister to assign investors to implement the project.
Allow the application of the turnkey contract form and implement the selection of contractors immediately after the National Assembly approves the adjustment of the Project investment policy. The contract includes the work of establishing the investment project, designing, supplying technological equipment, and constructing the project.
Purchase insurance for all materials, equipment, and services during the implementation of the turnkey contract and be allowed to purchase insurance from a foreign insurance company that does not have a branch licensed to establish and operate in Vietnam. Provide nuclear fuel for the first loading volume.
Allow the application of the form of direct bidding for the “turnkey” package to build the above main factory with the contractor named in the Intergovernmental Agreement according to the shortened direct bidding process.
Regarding the selection of investors and contractors, the Prime Minister assigns investors to implement projects; applies the “turnkey” contract form and direct bidding for turnkey packages for the construction of main factories with contractors in the Intergovernmental Agreement or Contract; applies the direct bidding/shortened direct bidding form for important consulting packages to establish, examine, evaluate, and assist investors in managing and implementing projects; purchase fuel, hire partners for operation and maintenance in the initial period.
The Government also proposed to carry out in parallel, at the same time, some project preparation work (feasibility study survey, technical design, mine clearance, component project implementation…) during the negotiation process of agreements, agreements, and turnkey contracts before approving the investment project.
Regarding the mechanism for financial plans and capital arrangements for project implementation, the Minister of Industry and Trade emphasized that the Government proposed to negotiate government loans with the project’s cooperation partners.
In addition, the mechanism allows investors to borrow again without bearing credit risks; use increased revenue, save budget expenditures and other legal capital sources; investors can use loans from government/enterprise/project bonds and some other mechanisms to have enough counterpart capital to implement the project; Arrange state budget capital to implement migration and resettlement projects.
At the local level, the Government proposed to allow Ninh Thuan to have special mechanisms and policies to compensate and resettle nuclear power plants; develop infrastructure to serve nuclear power construction; ensure the supply of materials for project construction; and ensure social security for people in the project area, which are also included in the Government’s proposal.
In addition, it is necessary to issue special mechanisms to carry out procedures for approving policies to change forest use purposes to other purposes for items related to the Project and component projects that handle overlapping areas of national mineral reserves…
Need to clearly define criteria for selecting contractors
Examining this content, Mr. Le Quang Huy, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, emphasized that the National Assembly agreed that there should be a number of specific mechanisms and policies to speed up the construction of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant.
However, the appraisal agency noted that the Government needs to direct the review and thorough assessment of potential risks in order to take measures to prevent and minimize risks, ensuring safety and effectiveness for the Project.
Regarding the approval time, the Government proposed to put the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project into operation in 2030. The review committee found that, according to international experience, it takes about 8 years to complete a nuclear power project (3 years of preparation, 5 years of construction).
According to Mr. Huy, the nuclear power project is very large in scale, the first time it is implemented in Vietnam, requiring large resources. Therefore, along with implementing many other large projects such as Long Thanh airport, North-South high-speed railway… Therefore, it is recommended to carefully study and supplement solutions to ensure the goal of completing the project.
Regarding the proposal to select contractors, Mr. Huy expressed that applying the turnkey bidding package is reasonable to speed up the implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. However, the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment emphasized that this form can lead to limited competition, the risk of group interests and lack of transparency in the implementation process.
“It is recommended that there should be clear regulations on the conditions of application, criteria for selecting contractors, and additional mechanisms to strictly control contract terms, especially commitments on technology, maintenance and technology transfer after project completion,” the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment recommended.
In addition, according to the reviewing agency, the draft Resolution does not have specific mechanisms and policies for human resources (training, treatment, attracting human resources, etc.) because this is a special industry, requiring high expertise and qualifications, and potentially dangerous. Without appropriate human resource policies, it will be difficult to proactively implement and operate projects in the short and long term; or mechanisms and policies on land and planning to facilitate site clearance, etc.