The energy situation in the world has become quite different from a year ago. Previously, we estimated an investment rate of USD1.500 -1,700 per KWH. Now, the rate has surged to USD3,000, which means that 1,000 MW of nuclear power will cost some three or four billion dollars. However, this should be weighed up alongside coal-run and oil-run thermo power plants which have also been increasing. The investment rate of coal run power plants, for example has increased by 50 percent

 

 

Investors will have to think about it and the Government will have to accept paying a higher price  to purchase electricity from nuclear power plants.

 

Nuclear power will be competitive if we remember that we will have to import coal from 2012. Meanwhile, the first electricity generation unit of the nuclear power plant will be operational in 2020. By that time, nuclear power will be no more expensive than thermo power.

 

In the future, the electricity price will be higher than now. It is inevitable. However, the electricity price increases should be controlled so as to avoid to put heavy burden on people.

 

If we make the investment step by step, the investment efficiency wil be low

 

A lot of foreign partners have expressed willing to become project contractors of the project. We have had interest from Japan, South Korea, Russia, the US and China.

 

Chinese contractors always have an advantage because they offer low prices. However, I think that nuclear power plant is a different story. Low investment prices will not be the only factor Vietnam needs to consider. We need to consider many other factors, including management culture as well.

 

In the meetings with us, Chinese contractors also said they would help us arrange capital. And so did the partners from Russia and Japan. I myself think that the promise to help Vietnam arrange capital should be seen as one of the requirements. Meanwhile, experience and safe technology will be the most important factors.