‘Nuclear energy will produce 20% electricity’

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will not only generate electricity but also strengthen utilization of nuclear technology in social and sustainable economic development. Experts made the remarks at a discussion titled `The Potential of Nuclear Power for Clean Energy and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Bangladesh’ held on Sunday at Dhaka University’s (DU) Center for Advanced Research in Science conference room. Dhaka University’s nuclear engineering department Chairman Md Shafiqul Islam said: “The nuclear energy will help develop agriculture, industries, and medicine sectors and open new window to hydrogen generation and water desalination opportunities.” He emphasized on public acceptance regarding the Rooppur Power Plant and asked all to be conscious about high capital investment, safety, security, proliferation and waste management. Prof Shafiqul presented a study regarding public perception on nuclear power conducted on 400 engineering students from public and private universities. Some 67% of them are aware of nuclear power technology and showed positive attitude while 19% disagreed and 14% remained neutral. While presenting keynote paper, Rooppur Nuclear Power Project Director Md Shawkat Akbar said: “We hope nuclear energy will produce up to 20% electricity in the long-term future.” “Russia has agreed to take back spent fuel from the site as Bangladesh lacks geographical depth, skilled human resources and the technological know-how to deal with the spent fuel,” he added. Dhaka University Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Nasreen Ahamd, Engineering and Technology faculty Dean Prof Hasanuzzaman and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Prof M Tamim were also present among others.