Rooppur nuclear power plant will use 'safest technology’, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission chief says

The Rooppur nuclear power plant in Pabna will be built using the ‘safest technology’, says Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) Chairman Md Ali Zulquarnain.

Locals of the area will not have to move from the project area, he says, even if an accident happens.
 
Zulquarnain’s assurance about the safety features of the first nuclear power plant came at a programme at the commission on Tuesday.
 
An organisation named ‘Star Trek Dream’ organised it to mark the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the US in August 1945 during the World War II.
 
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) Chairman Prof Naiyyum Choudhury was the chief guest at the event.
 
The nuclear power plant is being built with Russia’s assistance at an estimated project cost of $12.65 billion. Two units of the plant will generate 1,200 MW each.
 
Russia will provide $11.38 billion for the project and the Bangladesh government the rest.
 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the project in 2013, with 2021 targeted for the launch of the first unit.

But many in Bangladesh are worried following the horrifying aftermaths of accidents in nuclear plants around the world.

But the government said the Rooppur power plant will maintain all kinds of safety measures.

Defending the decision to go for a nuclear-powered plant, BAEC chief Zulquarnain on Tuesday brought up issue of the growing demand for power. “Our gas reserves are running out. That’s why we’ll have to go for nuclear energy.”
 
The plant will cost more at first, but the overall costs will come down due to long-term power generation, he said.
 
He referred to China and India’s nuclear energy scenario. “India currently generates 6,000-7,000 MW. They plan to make take it to 64,000 MW. China currently produces 20,000 MW, and they plan to increase their capacity to 200,000 MW in 2030.”
 
There are 70 nuclear reactors around the world and 84 percent of them use the latest technology, Zulquarnain added.
 
“We’ve also adopted the right technology. This tech has been designed on the experiences from different accidents.”
 
He said the reactor in Rooppur power plant will have thicker concrete walls around it in order to avoid any possible accident and damage from it.

“Currently, Generation III reactors are being used (everywhere). We are getting Generation III Plus reactors. This was added to the grid in Russia on Aug 5.”
 
He pointed out the profits made from the nuclear energy projects. “India has a massive programme. They made Tk 20 billion profits in 2014.”
 
“It will take 3 million tonnes of coal annually to produce 1,000 MW electricity. But in nuclear plant’s case, it will take only 25 tonnes of coal.”
 
He said Bangladesh has also been sending 20 students every year for the past three years to Russia to get training to run the nuclear power plant.

BAERA chief Naiyyum Choudhury said, “This may boomerang for those who are playing with (nuclear) bombs. We are for its (nuclear technology) peaceful use and against bombs.
 
“We’ll keep protesting against those who are manufacturing bombs.”
 
Regarding the criticism of the Rooppur power plant, he said, “The good thing about technology is that the more people talk about it, the more it adapts to new situations. It worked after the Fukushima tragedy. This has also influenced our deal (with Russia).
 
“Accidents don’t stop technology. Technology finds new ways and progresses.”