State Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman yesterday said the government’s decision to go for nuclear power plant is not just about adding electricity to the national grid, but also to boost the nation’s collective self-confidence.
“We believe the Rooppur nuclear power project will take our confidence to new heights,” he told a seminar at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the city.
Russia will provide the same reactor and technology to Bangladesh that it gave to India – simply terming it “the latest one,” he added.
Osman was possibly referring to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant located in Tamil Nadu on India’s southern coastline that recently became fully operative, adding 1000MW to their national grid.
“India itself has been making advances in nuclear science and nuclear power generation. They too have offered to help us,” the state minister said.
The IEB organised the seminar titled “Energy Security and the Role of Nuclear Power.” Virginia Tech University Prof Dr Saifur Rahman made a presentation on the topic.
Prof Saifur raised a number of questions surrounding the safety and security of the proposed Rooppur project.
“Burnt fuel has been a key concern and key issue for Bangladesh as many countries in the world now is facing the problem with the issue.”
Responding to the questions and concern, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Member (planning) M Ali Zulquarnine said there would be five-stage safety in the Rooppur plant. “Russia will supply fresh fuel and also take bank the burnt fuel for the entire lifetime of 65 years of the project.”
This was ensured in the contract with Russia, he said. Zulquarnine also revealed that the Russians were currently in the process of carrying out a feasibility study on the project.
Construction of the project will start in 2017 and completed by 2021 to come into operation.
