CaPtAiN_pLaNeT
SENIOR MEMBER
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Front Page
Dhaka, Moscow on the verge of N-power deal
Dhaka, Moscow on the verge of N-power deal
M Abul Kalam Azad
Almost two years after initiating the process, Bangladesh and Russia are set to finalise a draft agreement on setting up two 1000 megawatt nuclear power plants in Rooppur.
The two countries are contemplating on some aspects of the draft which is going to be signed soon, State Minister for Science and Information and Communication Technology Yeafesh Osman told The Daily Star yesterday.
This would be the last step before the two sides strike a final deal at the end of April during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Moscow, he added.
A five-member team, headed by Deputy Director of Rosatom Nikolai Spasskiy, arrived in Dhaka yesterday to initial the draft agreement following a meeting with the ICT state minister.
The prime minister will discuss the progress of the project with her senior colleagues and the experts on March 2.
The estimated cost of a 1000MW nuclear power plant ranges between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, ministry sources said.
Yeafesh noted that Russia committed to arrange finance for the two plants.
According to experts, installation of a unit will take at least five years after signing of the final accord.
The government acquired 260 acres of land for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project which was conceived in early 1960s.
Feasibility studies found the project to be technically and economically viable. International Atomic Energy Agency also gave Bangladesh the go-ahead.
Security aspect of these plants poses a major concern for Bangladesh as these use highly radioactive nuclear fuel. It could not be stored just anywhere without the risk of groundwater contamination or environmental degradation.
The risk factor has been curtailed as Russia has agreed to take away the spent fuel instead of storing them here, mentioned the state minister.
In an attempt to solve country's nagging power crisis the present government started talks with different countries including Russia, France and China to set up nuclear power plants.
Following fruitful talks, Russia struck a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 13, 2009 in Dhaka to pave the way for setting up the plants.
As per the understanding, Russia will supply Bangladesh with nuclear materials and provide services in the field of nuclear fuel cycle in accordance with national legislations of the two states and international treaties to which both Bangladesh and Russia are parties.
The MoU also includes terms for cooperation in education, training, updating skills of administrative, scientific and technical persons and radioactive waste management.
The two countries moved further ahead when they signed a protocol deal in October 2009 in Moscow on peaceful usage of atomic energy.
Front Page
Dhaka, Moscow on the verge of N-power deal
Dhaka, Moscow on the verge of N-power deal
M Abul Kalam Azad
Almost two years after initiating the process, Bangladesh and Russia are set to finalise a draft agreement on setting up two 1000 megawatt nuclear power plants in Rooppur.
The two countries are contemplating on some aspects of the draft which is going to be signed soon, State Minister for Science and Information and Communication Technology Yeafesh Osman told The Daily Star yesterday.
This would be the last step before the two sides strike a final deal at the end of April during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Moscow, he added.
A five-member team, headed by Deputy Director of Rosatom Nikolai Spasskiy, arrived in Dhaka yesterday to initial the draft agreement following a meeting with the ICT state minister.
The prime minister will discuss the progress of the project with her senior colleagues and the experts on March 2.
The estimated cost of a 1000MW nuclear power plant ranges between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, ministry sources said.
Yeafesh noted that Russia committed to arrange finance for the two plants.
According to experts, installation of a unit will take at least five years after signing of the final accord.
The government acquired 260 acres of land for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project which was conceived in early 1960s.
Feasibility studies found the project to be technically and economically viable. International Atomic Energy Agency also gave Bangladesh the go-ahead.
Security aspect of these plants poses a major concern for Bangladesh as these use highly radioactive nuclear fuel. It could not be stored just anywhere without the risk of groundwater contamination or environmental degradation.
The risk factor has been curtailed as Russia has agreed to take away the spent fuel instead of storing them here, mentioned the state minister.
In an attempt to solve country's nagging power crisis the present government started talks with different countries including Russia, France and China to set up nuclear power plants.
Following fruitful talks, Russia struck a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 13, 2009 in Dhaka to pave the way for setting up the plants.
As per the understanding, Russia will supply Bangladesh with nuclear materials and provide services in the field of nuclear fuel cycle in accordance with national legislations of the two states and international treaties to which both Bangladesh and Russia are parties.
The MoU also includes terms for cooperation in education, training, updating skills of administrative, scientific and technical persons and radioactive waste management.
The two countries moved further ahead when they signed a protocol deal in October 2009 in Moscow on peaceful usage of atomic energy.