[enviro-vlc] Nucclear Energy - 3 stories

[Vern Weitzel]

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2008/05/783405/

Japan, Vietnam ink nuclear power deal
13:18' 16/05/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam wanted Japan to help the country develop a safe 
nuclear programme, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai told visiting Japanese 
Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nakano Masashi in Hanoi yesterday.


Nuclear power was new in Vietnam, Hai said, so the country hoped to continue 
receiving international support in this field, especially from Japan, a country 
well-experienced in developing nuclear power.

He said in the short term Vietnam wanted Japan to help train human resources and 
build a legal basis to boost development of nuclear energy.

Nakano Masashi informed Hai on the signing of the memorandum of co-operation 
(MoC) between the two countries pledging to jointly foster nuclear power 
development.

Nuclear deal

During the signing ceremony for the MoC yesterday, Deputy Minister of Industry 
and Trade Do Huu Hao represented Vietnam, and Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade 
and Industry Masashi Nakano signed for Japan.

The MoC will create a legal framework for the two countries to continue 
developing human resources for Vietnam's first nuclear power plant, slated for 
operation by 2020.

Under the MoC, Japan will help Vietnam implement its strategy to use nuclear 
power for peaceful purposes as approved by Vietnamese Government in June 2007. 
Japan will also help educate experts in nuclear power and aid Vietnam in 
formulating safety regulations.

The two countries will negotiate co-operation agreements in areas like 
high-level delegation and information exchanges, conferences, forums and 
exhibitions.

The MoC would mark an obvious advance in the two ministries' co-ordination and 
help create a good environment for enterprises from the two nations to 
co-operate on nuclear power, said Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Japan has gained experience with nuclear power safety and technology in terms of 
construction, operations and maintenance since the first nuclear plant began 
operation in 1966. As many as 55 nuclear power plants are operating in Japan 
with a total capacity of 47,700 MW. Thirteen others are planned or under 
construction.

Earlier, Vietnam inked several memoranda of understanding regarding nuclear 
power with South Korea, France, Russia, China and Canada.

Japan and Vietnam have already worked together in researching the possibilities 
of using nuclear power and building the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2008/05/783223/

Third int’l nuclear energy exhibition opens in Hanoi
14:37' 15/05/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Nuclear power agencies and enterprises from Canada, China, 
South Korea, Japan, Russia and France are displaying their wares at Hanoi's 
Friendship and Cultural Palace on Tran Hung Dao Street.


The third international nuclear power exhibition opened yesterday. (Photo: VNN)

The third international nuclear power exhibition opened yesterday is sponsored 
by the Science and Technology and Industry and Trade ministries.

It is designed to provide Vietnamese about the world development of the industry.

The exhibits include displays of Japan's advanced pressurised water reactor and 
France's third-generation pressurised reactors.

Vietnam planned to have its first nuclear power plant working for peaceful 
purposes by 2020, Science and Technology Minister Hoang Van Phong said at the 
opening ceremony.

The Trade Ministry was now preparing plans for prime ministerial approval, he said.

The Science and Technology Ministry has submitted a draft Atomic Energy Law to 
the National Assembly, and deputies discussed it earlier this week.

The exhibition closes on Saturday.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2008/05/782996/

Lecture on nuclear power to be held in Hanoi
10:42' 14/05/2008 (GMT+7)

An artist's impression of the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam which will be 
built in the Phuoc Dinh Commune, Ninh Thuan Province

VietNamNet Bridge - A wide range of issues concerning nuclear energy and its 
effects on humans and the environment will be discussed at a seminar entitled 
“Nuclear Science and Society” held on June 25 in Ha Noi.

Professor Phillippe Quentin of the University of Bordeaux 1 and the Centre 
National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research) 
will gave a speech at the seminar whose content will be translated 
simultaneously into Vietnamese.

Nuclear power has long been a tempting source of energy to humans. Its use was 
at first limited to military purposes, but later it was put to civilian uses. It 
has helped bring about a new era of civilization, science and technology.

Nuclear power is at the center of many heated debates throughout the world 
because of its ability to meet humanity’s increasing demand for energy as well 
as because of fear concerning its possible effect on the environment.

Society is not only influenced by nuclear power production, but it is also 
greatly affected by how far nuclear physics can go.

In fact, technology, industry, and a large amount of scientific research is 
making use of nuclear science to give birth to useful inventions and materials, 
as well as to help modern science take a step forward to improve humanity’s 
living conditions.

The seminar will begin at 6 p.m. at the L’Espace - French Cultural Center on 24 
Trang Tien Street in Ha Noi.

(Source: SGGP)


(Source: Viet Nam News)