DHAKA: Bangladesh will sign a deal with Russia to build two nuclear power plants at a cost of at least US$ 3 billion to be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Moscow this coming September, official sources said.

“The final agreements are likely to be signed in September when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit Russia,” said Yeafesh Osman, State Minister for Science and Information Communication Technology.

Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Mosharraf Hossain said both the power plants, 500MW each, would cost at least US$ 3 billion to install.

According to a MoU between Bangladesh and Russia that was signed in May last year, Moscow will supply nuclear materials to Bangladesh for the power-generation scheme.

Bangladesh received approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2007 to set up nuclear power plant. Bangladesh also signed MoUs with China, the USA, France and India for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy.      

“Russia will provide us services in the fields of nuclear fuel cycle in line with national legislations of the two states and international treaties to which both are parties,” Hossain told banglanews24.com.bd.

The MoU also includes terms for cooperation in educating, training, and updating the skills of administration staff, and scientific and technical persons in matters related to the project.

“Cooperation in radioactive waste management is a part of it as well,” said Mosharraf, about the scope of the treaties.

The State Minister for ICT is now in Moscow on a four-day official trip to finalize a framework agreement for the nuclear power plants in Rooppur, Pabna. Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni will also be present during the signing of the agreement on May 21.

The 1,000-megawatt twin-plants are expected to be complete by 2017. In the first phase of setting up the plants, a 600-megawatt plant will first be installed. “It may take six to seven years to complete the installation of the first one,” Osman said.

Bangladesh now generates around 4,000MW power everyday against the minimum demand for 6,000MW, leaving a huge shortfall that caused nagging problems for productive activities as ell as public life and business.

In reply to a question, Osman said that the funds for the projects would be mobilized from both the local and international financial sources.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission suggested building a human resources department as per requirement of the International Atomic Energy Agency for launching the nuclear plant by 2016.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Project was conceived way back in the early 1960s. Around 260 acres of land was acquired for the plant, but the past governments allowed dust to settle on the dormant project.


BDST: 1835, May 20, 2010
AKR/FA/MUA