Work on the Rooppur nuclear power project on the banks of the Padma River at Rooppur in Pabna district in Bangladesh,
the country's most expensive power plant, is moving fast. This is one of the important projects of the 10 mega projects
of the present government. Bangladesh is going to be a model for whole world including South Asia regarding using of
nuclear power peacefully. According to Bangladeshi media outlets, Bangladesh is going to enter into the age of nuclear
generation of electricity. Bangladesh’s nuclear activities is very peaceful to generate only for electricity. Bangladesh
wants to meet the huge demand of electricity of the growing factories and companies. Bangladesh is an energy hungry
nation now. Thus, it has initiated its nuclear program by signing treaty with Russia in 2013.
The new door of Russia-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation was opened in 2013 through this agreement. At that time, the two
countries signed a state export credit agreement with the nuclear-armed country to implement a nuclear project in
Bangladesh. In the light of this, the work of nuclear power plant started at Rooppur in Pabna district in Bangladesh
with the direct financial and technical cooperation of Russia.
Bangladesh government is implementing its visionary 10 mega projects now. There are garment factories in Bangladesh
which are producing huge number of productions. On the other hands, the consumption of electricity is rising day by day.
So, Bangladesh needs electricity. Bangladesh is trying its level best to increase of production electricity. In 2009
where the power generation was 3200 MW; Now it has exceeded 20,000 MW. Two reactors with a capacity of 1200 MW are being
set up at Rooppur. If production starts from the first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, it will undoubtedly start
another revolution of development in the country.
Even in the midst of the Corona epidemic, its work continues at a normal pace. The concerned people are hoping that the
work will be completed on time. The first of the two units of the 1,200-megawatt project will be launched in 2023 and
the second in 2024. There is no alternative to energy and power security for the desired development and progress of any
country. Bangladesh is expected to be upgraded to the status of a developed country by 2041. With this goal in mind, a
comprehensive program of power generation has been taken. As economic activity grows, it is essential to ensure power
supply as its driving force. In addition to the construction of large gas-oil based power plants, several power plants
and nuclear power plants are being constructed. The Prime Minister also mentioned the construction of another nuclear
power plant. It will be in the south. The aim of these initiatives and projects is to meet the growing demand for
electricity.
Bangladesh has entered the era of nuclear energy. In a video conference from Ganobhaban (BD Prime Minister’s official
residence) on October 10, 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the installation of the first nuclear reactor
pressure vessel at the Rooppur nuclear power plant under construction in Pabna district in Bangladesh. The installation
of this reactor is considered to be the most important step in the process of commissioning a nuclear power plant.
After Rooppur in Pabna, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought Russia's cooperation in building another nuclear power
plant in the southern part of the country. She hoped that in the future the Russia's nuclear agency, Rostom would
cooperate with Bangladesh in this regard. The issue was discussed on October 11th, 2021 morning at Ganobhaban when the
DG of Russia's state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom paid a courtesy call.
Now Bangladesh Seeks Russia's cooperation in setting up another nuclear power plant. Ever since the original construction began in 2016, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been talking about the state's plan
to build another nuclear power plant in the south of the country. On October 11, 2021, she also spoke in the same
context at the installation ceremony of the first unit in Rooppur.
Since the implementation of the nuclear project in cooperation with Russia has come a long way. That is why Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought the country's help in building the second power plant in the country.
Alexei Likhachev, DG of Russia's state-owned nuclear agency ROSATOM, met the Prime Minister at Ganobhaban on October
11th morning.
In this courtesy call, the Prime Minister called upon the country to further cooperate in the nuclear sector.
Emphasizing the importance of safety, the Prime Minister called upon the Director General of Rosatom to train the local
people so that they could run the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).At the time, the ROSATOM chief said his country wanted more cooperation in Bangladesh's power sector. Alexey Likhachev
also briefed Sheikh Hasina on the construction and implementation deadline at Rooppur.
Alexei Likhachev said that mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and Russia has entered the nuclear field and by 2023
Bangladesh will become a nuclear power.
He said they would train Bangladeshis to run the RNPP and would continue their cooperation in Bangladesh's power sector.
Atomic scientists call this reactor the heart of a nuclear power plant. When the construction work is completed, the two
units of Rooppur center are expected to generate 2,400 MW of electricity. The construction work of Rooppur project went
one step further by installing reactor pressure vessels.
The people of Bangladesh are hoping that the power generation will start after the completion of the project as per the
schedule. The Rooppur project will have two units of VVR-technology reactors with a capacity of 1,200 MW. According to
the schedule, Unit-1 is scheduled to be launched in 2023 and Unit-2 in 2024.
It is learned that Rooppur nuclear power plant has utilized Russia's best tacties, many years of experience and
scientific thinking. A senior official involved in the project said the unique combination of active and passive systems
of the power unit would ensure the safe operation of the center and ensure the planned level of power generation.
We hope that nuclear power will not only solve the problem of energy supply in Bangladesh, but also make an important
contribution to the development of the overall quality of life of the people. The construction of Rooppur nuclear power
plant has initially cost more than One lakh 13 thousand 92 crore 91 lakh Bangladeshi Takas. Despite the epidemic,
thousands of workers are working there day and night. In fact, this power plant will be considered as a model of clean
energy in the country, which will provide affordable, reliable and quality electricity in the long run. This will make
Bangladesh more prosperous. Russia-Bangladesh Nuclear Cooperation provides benefits for Bangladesh.