The country's first nuclear power plant is becoming more visible with each passing day, and the ‘reactor pressure vessel,’ a major part of the power plant, is expected to be installed in the second week of next month, a project official 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.
According to project officials, the nuclear reactor pressure vessel for the first unit of the power plant reached the country in October last year after crossing 14,000 kilometers from the Volga River in Russia. The vessel was later transferred from a ship of the Russian Federation to a local special barge in Bangladesh. They were brought by river from Mongla to Rooppur. The various infrastructures required to set it up took a long year to build and finally it will be inaugurated in October.
When contacted, Ziaul Hasan, Secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology told Bangladesh Post, "The nuclear reactor pressure vessel is a very important part of the project. We are expecting it to be installed on October 12. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate it through video conference.”
The 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.
The government believes that the first unit will start generation by 2023, and the second unit will be launched by 2024.
The main construction work of the power plant is continuing at Rooppur in Pabna district, while at the same time, essential machinery is being made in Russia. Some of the machinery has already reached Bangladesh, some shipped and others are still in the manufacturing process.
Project officials said most of the major projects in the country were halted due to Coronavirus. Due to the dependence on foreign manpower, some projects have been stopped. Foreigners associated with the embassy and various activities are returning to their respective countries. However, the construction work of Rooppur Power Plant is going on in full-swing.
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 spent nuclear fuel from Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and we have signed a deal in this regard with them, an official said.
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.
At present, the average cost of generating electricity per unit in oil-based power plants in the country is Taka 15 to 20. But the power generation cost of the Rooppur nuclear power plant will be at Taka 3 to 3.50 per unit.
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.
