Despite the countrywide prevailing coronavirus threat, construction works of country’s first nuclear power plant is going on uninterrupted. As of today, the 7th out of 12 pre-stressed mounting blocks, under the third phase of inner containment construction of reactor building at unit-1 has been installed. Construction of 14.5 meters of the inner containment is underway at the moment, officials said.
The power plant is being implemented in Rooppur of Pabna district by a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom. It is a top priority project on the Bangladesh government’s agenda, under direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office. The project will host two units, each with the latest generation 3+ VVER 1200 reactor. Total capacity of the plant is estimated to be 2,400 MW.
Rosatom official said, construction of 20 meters of the same has already been completed in two phases. Total height of the inner containment will be 61.7 meters. Earlier, underground construction of 30 meters structure was completed and the Core Catcher, one of the major components of passive safety system has been installed. Simultaneously 64.5 meter high outer containment is also under construction. Installation of Reactor at unit-1 will begin this year after it reaches from Russia.
The Rooppur NPP authority has taken all necessary measures to prevent spread of corona infection at the site, following the Bangladesh Government and WHO guidelines. Architect Yeafech Osman, Minister of Science and Technology, told Bangladesh Post that the construction of the nuclear power plant is underway to ensure all kinds of health security. In addition to the use of different types of safety equipment, everyone is tested at least three times a day for body temperature and health checkup.
“It is an international project and also a matter of honour for us. We hope at least 1200MW unit of electricity from the first nuclear plant will be added to the national grid by 2023. The second with the same amount of power will be launched by 2024,” he added. About 4,500 workers and employees, including foreigners, are working every day to complete the power plant within the stipulated time. Of these, around 1,200 are Russians and some 700-800 are other foreign nationals.
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 project concerned has taken initiatives to prevent the deadly virus and to prevent anyone from getting infected.
Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia's state atomic energy corporation-Rosatom, said, “Ensuring nuclear safety and safeguarding the lives and health of both our employees and the general public has been our first and utmost priority for decades. Safety is Rosatom’s key value. We have always had contingency plans for any kind of emergency situations, including those related to the health of our employees.”
“At present, we have introduced additional measures at all of Russia’s nuclear power plants, including regular health check-ups of our personnel. We have arranged for as many employees as possible to work remotely and purchased personal protective equipment and hygiene-related products in bulk. We are monitoring our employees’ health in close cooperation with local authorities across our areas of operation.
We have developed a number of additional contingency plans for various aspects of the coronavirus pandemic that may have an effect on the health of our NPP employees,” he continued. Bangladesh government believes that once the nuke plant goes into operation, it will offer a window of opportunities, such as ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to over 15 lakh families and jobs for a large number of people.
Manufacturing of various machine components and equipment is running in full swing in Russia. Some of them have already reached Bangladesh; some have been shipped and others are still in manufacturing process. The first reactor with 3 steam turbines and its related equipment will reach Bangladesh by November, Rosatom officials said.
Rooppur nuclear power plant project’s official said “There will be two reactors with 8 steam turbines. We hope the first reactor with 3 steam turbines will reach here within November. The second reactor and other five steam turbines will reach in phases. By this time the first reactor would be installed.”
