The major work of Bangabandhu's dream nuclear power plant project is at the final stage .The pre-commission work of the plant is progressing fast. Once completed, the project will elevate the status of Bangladesh to a unique height in the world, project official said.
Uranium, the most widely-used fuel for nuclear power, may arrive in Bangladesh by October 15, 2023 and the commissioning work of the Nuclear Power Plant will start by the end of that year. As part of pre-commission, flushing of systems with the open reactor commenced at unit- 1 of the power plant on December 8, 2022.
Along with power generation the RNPP will play a vital role in creating job opportunity, promoting industrialization, socio-economic development and new technology.
Russia is one of the pioneer of nuclear power. The country's first nuclear power plant project at Rooppur of Pabna is being implemented by a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom.
The project will host two nuclear power units each of 1,200 Mw capacities. Latest generation 3+ Russian VVER 1200 reactor will be used for power generation, which complies with all international safety requirements.
Currently, Rosatom is working on the construction of nuclear power plants of the similar technology in seven countries including Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Hungary, and Czech Republic.
Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman told Bangladesh Post, “Rooppur nuclear power plant is not like other projects. It belongs to our history. Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman thought of such project. We did not get this kind of project during the Pakistani regime. Now, we have reached the doorstep of fulfilling Bangabandhu's dream. The arrival of uranium in the country next year means that it has become a power plant.”
“Everyone wants this project to be completed soon. Bangabandhu's wish will be fulfilled through this project. Due to this project, the status of Bangladesh has been perked up all over the world,” he added.
Yeafesh Osman, said, “We believe that nuclear energy is safe, reliable and environment- friendly. It also does not contribute to emission of greenhouse gases, and it helps mitigate effects of climate changes. We will be able to reduce carbon emission through Rooppur project. Though its initial cost seems to be very high, it is cost effective in the long run as the economic longevity of nuclear power plant is much longer than conventional power plant.”
“The construction of the power plant will enhance the social, economic, scientific and technological potential of the country. RNPP is contributing to the achievement of our national goal to build a poverty and hunger- free, knowledge- based middle income country,” Osman added.
He also said, “This is not like other power plants. It is beyond that and everybody feels it in Bangladesh. The work of this project is progressing with 100% transparency. Hopefully, we will finish all work on time, InshAllah. And it will build our confidence to change overall scenario of the country.”
After successfully commissioning of the first unit of the 2400MW power plant, electricity is expected to be added to the national grid by 2024 and that of the second unit by 2025. The lifespan of the power plant is 60 years, which can be extended for another 20 years, if necessary.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, said that the construction of transmission line is also going on in line with the power plant. It is expected that the transmission line will be ready within the stipulated time. The power plant will play a vital role in uninterrupted power supply in the western and northern regions.
The design of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been developed in such a way that it will not succumb to any accident natural or man-made. One of the main concerns of any nuclear power plant is its waste management. The Russian Federation will take back all spent nuclear fuel of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and they have signed a deal in this regard, an official said.
Project Director Dr Md Shawkat Akbar told Bangladesh Post, “Import of fuel is a big milestone of this project. Hopefully, our first shipment of nuclear fuel will arrive in Bangladesh within September- October period. That is why a joint time bound action plan has been developed with Russia. We will have another review meeting in mid-December.”
“Skilled manpower is essential for smart operation of RNPP. The training activities is going on in phases. Already our skilled manpower has started commissioning work with Russians. We are training 30 percent more manpower than we need so that there might be no shortage of manpower,” he added.
Shawkat Akbar also said, “Around 2000 skilled hands will be required to operate the power plant. Over 1400 technical hands will be trained. Most of them will be trained in Russia. The first phase of training of those who will work in the operation has already been completed. They are already in the project area. Already 273 people have been posted for commission. The rest will be posted by December. Some will be trained up by Russians in Bangladesh and some others will be trained up by our experts.”
On 2 October 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the first foundation stone of Rooppur NPP. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the Construction of Rooppur NPP Project on 6 December, 2016 at an estimated cost of Taka 1,13,092.91 crore.