Vietnam cancels nuclear power plans, South Africa delays theirs

In another retreat on the nuclear power front, Vietnam has decided to abandon plans to pursue nuclear power in that country. Meanwhile, just days later, South Africa announced it would delay plans to develop nuclear power. Both countries had deals with Russia's Rosatom, while Vietnam was also looking to Japan for contracts. A South African-German-Japanese delegation that traveled to Vietnam was instrumental in providing information to the government there which resulted in the cancelation of nuclear plans. Tellingly, it was the first time officials there had ever heard contrary positions (read: "facts") to nuclear promotion. One member, South African economist, David Fig, has written about that development and the lessons there for South Africa and other countries with large rural populations lacking electricity infrastructure and means. Read more.