Bangladesh in final stages of preparations to build first nuclear power plant in Rooppur

The authorities are nearly done with the preparations to build Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna, five years after the project was initiated.

Reazul Bashar back from Rooppurbdnews24.com
Published : 22 April 2016, 02:12 PM
Updated : 22 April 2016, 02:36 PM

Project Director Shawkat Akbar says 80 percent work to start the main construction on a 1,062-acre land in the first phase has been completed.

Science and Technology Secretary Serajul Huq Khan is hopeful the construction of the 2,400-megawatt power plant’s main infrastructure will start in August next year.

The Press Information Department recently organised a tour of journalists to the project site.

Project officials said the issue of averting risk has been given top priority.

The power plant would be able to withstand an earthquake measuring up to magnitude 9 on Richter scale, they said.

The initiative to set up the nuclear plant was taken in 1961.  Later in 1963, Rooppur was selected out of 12 proposed sites for the plant.

After the Awami League-led government came to power in 2009, it took fresh initiative to implement the 50-year old proposal.

Rooppur Power Plant Project

Location: Rooppur in Pabna

Area: 1,062 acres

Capacity: 2,400MW with two units of 1,200MW each

Technology: VVER-1200, Russia

Foundation stone laid: October, 2013

Cost: $12.65 billion (Tk 1.12 trillion)

Opening: Targeted launch of first unit is 2022. The second one will be launched the following year.

Longevity: 30 to 80 years

bdnews24.com during the trip found that the land at the site at Ishwardi had been developed.

The work to set up a monitoring station, concrete basic plant, storage warehouse, pump house, office and residential building for engineers, water supply, and rain water management system were underway.

Secretary Khan hopes it will be possible to complete the first phase of preparations within December.

Russia will fund 90 percent of the project cost, estimated at $12.65 billion.

The power generated in the plant will cost Tk 3.5 a unit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the project in October, 2013.

Then a Bill was passed in the Parliament to form a company to run the plant.

According to the law, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission will own the plant while the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh will run it.

Secretary Khan said the first unit with the capacity to generate 1,200MW would be commissioned in 2022 while the second one with the same capacity will be launched the following year.

In an attempt to allay all apprehensions about the safety factors related to the plant, the government has said that it will be built with third-generation technology protected by five layers of security designed by JSC Atomostroyexport, which is building the plant.

As per the agreement, Russia will take back the nuclear waste generated by the plant.

The life span of the plant is expected to be between 30 and 80 years, the secretary said.