PV Power Services Partners with SOOSAN to Pave the Way for Nuclear Energy and Technical Energy Services in Vietnam
On June 12, 2026, Petrovietnam Power Services Company (PV Power Services) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SOOSAN Industrial Company of South Korea. This strategic partnership is poised to be a transformative step in Vietnam's technical energy services sector, particularly in preparation for future large-scale energy projects, especially nuclear power.
The collaboration represents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese engineers to potentially undertake maintenance, repairs, and operations of nuclear power systems independently in the future, rather than relying on foreign experts at costs amounting to trillions of VND. This could mark the most significant development in Vietnam's technical energy services sector in decades.
Strategic Significance of the Agreement
This partnership extends beyond conventional power plant maintenance to encompass several high-technical-value fields:
- Power plant maintenance and repair
- Overhaul and major unit maintenance
- Mechanical, electrical, and control & instrumentation (I&C) systems
- Energy engineer training according to international standards
- Workforce preparation for the nuclear energy sector
- Collaboration on domestic and international energy projects
Key Objectives of the Collaboration
The partnership between PV Power Services and SOOSAN focuses on complementary strengths:
| Area of Focus | PV Power Services Contribution | SOOSAN Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Market Experience in Vietnam | Local market knowledge | Technical support |
| International Technology | Technology reception | Technology sharing |
| Engineer Training | Primary focus | Direct implementation |
| Power Plant Overhaul | Expanding capabilities | Experience transfer |
| Nuclear Energy | Workforce preparation | Technical support |
| International Service Expansion | Long-term goal | Partnership |
Nuclear Energy Takes Center Stage
Notably, the agreement emphasizes preparing human resources for future nuclear energy projects. For many years, specialized technical services for nuclear power have been handled by major corporations from South Korea, Japan, France, or the United States, resulting in extremely high operational and maintenance costs.
If PV Power Services gradually masters these technologies, Vietnam can retain significant technical revenue domestically while forming a team of international-level energy experts. This would represent a major leap in Vietnam's technical capabilities and self-reliance in the energy sector.
Hands-On Training Commitment
One aspect highly valued by industry experts is SOOSAN's commitment to practical training. After completing the training program, PV Power Services engineers will directly participate in major overhaul and repair projects implemented by SOOSAN.
This means the Vietnamese technical team will not only learn theoretically but also gain exposure to real-world environments, access the latest technologies, and maintain their technical skills regularly.
Planned Training Program
| Training Category | Content |
|---|---|
| Regular Maintenance | International procedures |
| Emergency Response | Specialized practice |
| Unit Overhaul | Practical participation |
| I&C Control | Modern technology |
| Nuclear Energy | Workforce preparation |
| Project Management | International standards |
Ambitions for Global Market Expansion
Mr. Han Bong Seob, Vice Chairman and CEO of SOOSAN, stated that the objectives of both parties extend beyond Vietnam. SOOSAN hopes to combine international technology with PV Power Services' local implementation capabilities to jointly participate in the global technical energy services market.
This is a noteworthy direction as maintenance, overhaul, and power plant operation services currently constitute a global market worth tens of billions of USD annually.
Advantages for Petrovietnam and Vietnam's Energy Sector
The partnership between PV Power Services and SOOSAN occurs in the context of Petrovietnam's intensified strategy to transition from a traditional oil and gas corporation to an integrated energy industry company. Alongside LNG, gas power, offshore wind power, AI, and digital transformation initiatives, developing a high-technical workforce is considered a key factor helping Vietnam increase localization rates in future energy projects.
Expected Impacts
| Sector | Expected Benefits |
|---|---|
| Existing Power Plants | Improved maintenance quality |
| LNG Power | Increased domestic technical capacity |
| Offshore Wind Power | Additional human resources |
| Nuclear Energy | Early preparation |
| Technology Transfer | Access to international standards |
| Technical Service Export | Expanded international market |
Conclusion: A Strategic Preparation for Vietnam's Energy Future
The MOU signing between PV Power Services and SOOSAN is not merely a standard memorandum but reflects the ambition to build a high-level energy engineering force within Vietnam itself. In the context of rapidly increasing electricity demand, expanding LNG power projects, and the potential restart of nuclear energy research, this may be one of the most important preparations for Vietnam's energy sector during the 2026-2035 period.
The question arises: Should Vietnam accelerate the training of nuclear power engineers now to prepare for future projects, or should it continue to rely on foreign experts in the initial phase? The answer to this question may well determine Vietnam's energy independence and technical self-reliance in the decades to come.