Nov. 27 – Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved plans to build two nuclear power plants in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan scheduled to be finished by 2020.

The nuclear plants will be located in Thuan Nam District’s Phuoc Dinh Commune and Ninh Hai District’s Vinh Hai Commune with a combined power capacity of 2,000 megawatts. Construction will cost an estimated VND200 trillion.

The assembly also approved a plan to build a VND23.6 trillion hydropower plant in Lai Chau. A 1,200-megawatt plant in Muong Te District will begin construction by the end of next year reports Thanh Nien News.

The country has an urgent need to ramp up power generation capacity to keep up with its growing economy. Vietnam has even resorted to adjusting electricity rates to encourage more use during off peak hours.