The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) will play an important role in achieving SDG of Bangladesh due to low cost of nuclear energy in the long run.
Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday pointed out that the initial investment of a nuclear power plant is high but in the long run its generation cost is low. Besides, Nuclear energy is a low-carbon source of energy.
The discussants gathered at the seminar titled, ‘Contribution of Rooppur NPP construction to the sustainable development of Bangladesh’ at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre in the capital.
Rosatom State Corporation, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Atomstroyexport (ASE) jointly organised the event.
Speakers said “Per capita power consumption is a vital issue in achieving Sustainable and Development (SDG) Goals for any country. Nuclear power plant is considered environment friendly. On the other hand, fossil fuel is highly damaging for our environment. So, we have to be very careful in choosing safer technology.”
“However, Bangladesh is now generating surplus electricity. It is now time to ensure and introduce more environment friendly green energy,” they added.
Goncharova Natalia, an expert at communication department of ASE presented a paper on “Sustainable development in engineering division,” while Fokin Konstantin, chief expert at career at Assessment and Training Centre, Moscow presented paper on - “The capabilities of the Rosatom nuclear education system for the Rooppur NPP construction project” at the seminar.
The Perspective Plan (2010-2021), laid down goals and strategies together with a framework for mobilizing natural and human resources to be developed from a low-income economy to the first stage of a middle-income economy.
In July 2021 UN sustainable development cooperation framework (UNSDCF) for Bangladesh for the years 2022-2026 was published. By the year 2026 people in Bangladesh will receive decent work opportunities resulting from responsible, inclusive, sustainable, green and equitable economic development.
Second perspective plan to be implemented from 2022-2041. Some 8.48 percent of the population is currently severely poor, and is projected to hit zero percent by 2031.
The 20-year strategy, set the goal of achieving 9.9% growth in GDP by ensuring investment to 46.88% of GDP by 2041 and rising tax collection to 21.85% of GDP. In the report of July 2021 is indicated a target of 8.5% GDP growth rate by 2025.
Rooppur NPP has up to 2300 MW contribution to the fulfillment of the Goal 7 “Affordable and Clean Energy”. According to the experts’ opinion, Rooppur NPP will cover needs for electricity for more than 1.5 million families across the country.
Even during construction stage Rooppur NPP has already made a big contribution to the fulfillment of the Goal 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”.
A total of 22 organisations, including 14 Russian body corporates with 20968 personnel are engaged in construction work of country’s first nuclear power. There is a plan to increase the amount of personnel up to 22,105 till the end of 2021.
Completion of Rooppur NPP construction will create 2500 jobs for highly qualified specialists on labour-market.
Among others Md Abdur Razzaque, Director General, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre, Professor Dr. Ashoke Kumar Paul, Member Bio-Science, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Nina Dementsova, Head of Communications Department, ASE spoke at the seminar.