The country's first nuclear power plant is becoming more visible with each passing day, and the ‘reactor pressure vessel for second unit,’ a major part of the power plant, is expected to be installed tomorrow (October, 19), project officials said.
A reactor pressure vessel (RPV) in a nuclear power plant is the pressure vessel containing the nuclear reactor coolant, core shroud, and the reactor core, which are thick steel containers that hold nuclear fuel when the reactors operate. The vessels provide one of several barriers that keep radioactive material out of the environment.
A project official said, "The nuclear reactor pressure vessel is a very important part of the project. We are expecting it to be installed on October 19. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate it through video conferencing. Alexey Likhachev, Chief Executive Officer of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, will be present as a special guest at the event.”
Architect Yeafesh Osman, Minister of Science and Technology said that the Bengali nation is grateful to the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman and his daughter for implementing the nuclear power plant project in Bangladesh. Russia is a real friend of Bangladesh. Bangladesh will rise to a unique position in world civilization through the establishment of the reactor pressure vessel.
He said, ‘Core catcher technology’ has been added in the Rooppur project as the safety of the people of the country is the most important thing for the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
aThe power plant is being implemented by a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom. It is a top priority project on the Bangladesh government’s agenda, all the way up to the Prime Minister’s Office. Total capacity of the plant is estimated to be 2,400 MW.
Project Director Dr. Mohammad Shawkat Akbar said, “We are working to implement the project within the scheduled time. In the meantime, 75 percent of the physical-infrastructure work of the first unit has been completed. At the same time, the nuclear reactor pressure vessel is being installed here as the work of the second unit is also progressing rapidly. Each device is installed as per the design with maximum testing. For this, the certificate of the regulatory authority has to be taken.
Earlier, on October 10, 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the installation of the first unit nuclear reactor pressure vessel through video conferencing from Dhaka. It is the biggest project in the history of Bangladesh. The work of the Rooppur nuclear power plant has not stopped even for a day even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. About 25-26 thousand local and foreign people worked day and night in this project in three shifts every day.
The steam generator will be installed immediately after the installation of the reactor pressure vessel. This will end the installation of all types of nuclear equipment.
Officials said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will bring about a comprehensive change in the country's economy, contributing more than two percent to GDP growth.
Once the nuke plant goes into operation, it will offer a window of opportunity, such as ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to over 15 lakh families, and jobs for a large number of people.
That is apart from the fact that the plant will make special contributions to industrial development and scientific research. Above all, it will signal a release from the monopoly fuel of oil, gas and coal for power generation.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is planned and being constructed according to Russian design. The plant will have two power units with the latest generation 3+ VVER 1,200 reactor, which will fully meet all international safety requirements. The lifespan of the reactors are 60 years, which can be extended for another 20 years if necessary.
In 2015-2016, preparatory work was carried out at the construction site, working documentation was developed and documents for licensing for construction were prepared. On November 4, 2017, the regulatory authority of Bangladesh (BAERA) issued the required license for the design and construction of the plant.
On 2 October 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the first stone in the foundation of Rooppur NPP. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved Construction of Rooppur NPP Project on 6 December 2016 at an estimated cost of Taka 1,13,092.91 crore.