Russian state-owned Rosatom, which is building the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) project, looks forward to developing more cooperation with Bangladesh.
The atomic energy agency made the call when its Director General Alexey Likhachev met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in Dhaka on Monday to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation related to use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Likhachev, who led a Russian delegation to Dhaka, also met Foreign Minister Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, and Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman. A package of documents was signed on the day. Likhachev and Osman signed a protocol to amend the intergovernmental agreement signed earlier between Russia and Bangladesh on NPP construction in Bangladesh.
The Protocol establishes Bangladesh’s right to engage Rosatom on a long-term basis to help in the operation, maintenance and repair of power units-1 and 2 of RNPP, as well as to supply the equipment, expendable materials, spare parts, and to provide training for maintenance crews in course of operations of the plant.
Thus, the Russian company will be responsible for maintenance, operational support and repair of the RNPP throughout its entire life cycle.
In addition, a package of appendixes to the contract for supply of nuclear fuel for RNPP was signed between Russian company TVEL and the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.
It will remain effective until the end of operational lifetime of RNPP’s both power units. The Russian delegation also visited the sites of the RNPP and its Green City housing project.
“The construction (of the power plant) has gained a momentum,” Likhachev said.
The Rosatom DG appreciated the establishment of the Green City with all modern housing facilities for the Russian specialists.
According to the project officials, around 25 percent work of the power plant project have already been completed.
With two VVER-1200 Generation 3+ reactors with a total capacity of 2,400 MW, the RNPP is being constructed in the northern district of Pabna in line with the international safety standards.
The general contractor for Rooppur NPP construction is Atomstroyexport, Engineering Division of Rosatom.
RNPP is the first nuclear power plant outside Russia being constructed under the project of Generation III + (NPP-2006) and switched to an eighteen-month fuel cycle.
The first rectors of the plant is expected to arrive by November.
Once RNPP goes into operation, it will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to over 15 lakh families across country and contribute more than two percent to GDP growth.
According to the officials, at least 1200MW unit of electricity from the first nuclear plant will be added to the national grid by 2023 while the second with the same amount of power will be launched by 2024.
Besides, a batch of 20-30 students will pursue higher study on nuclear science in Russia before being employed for the plant maintenance.
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 government issued license for the design and construction of the plant.
On October 2, 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the first stone in the foundation of RNPP. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved “Construction of Rooppur NPP” Project on December 6, 2016 at an estimated cost of Taka 1,13,092.91 crore.
