🇧🇩 Civilian/Military Nuclear Program in Bangladesh
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Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at a glance
- Fresh batch of uranium to reach Thursday
- Bangladesh now 33rd nuclear power country
An aerial view of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is pictured on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
Mahfuz Sadi
Publish : 05 Oct 2023, 09:00 AMUpdate : 05 Oct 2023, 12:33 PM
The Awami League, in its 2008 electoral manifesto, committed to establishing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna.
Honouring this commitment after taking office, the party fulfilled its promise, marking Bangladesh's first step in nuclear power generation.
The first unit of the power plant will officially receive a fresh batch of uranium from the Russian contractor, Rosatom, at a formal Graduation Ceremony on Thursday.
Both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin will virtually attend the handover ceremony.
Interestingly, the country’s first nuclear power plant construction was first initiated in 1961 by the then-Pakistan government. However, the project faced various challenges and difficulties over the years and could not be completed.
This image shows a general view of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Photo: MahmudMahfuz Sadi
Publish : 05 Oct 2023, 09:00 AMUpdate : 05 Oct 2023, 12:33 PM
The Awami League, in its 2008 electoral manifesto, committed to establishing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna.
Honouring this commitment after taking office, the party fulfilled its promise, marking Bangladesh's first step in nuclear power generation.
The first unit of the power plant will officially receive a fresh batch of uranium from the Russian contractor, Rosatom, at a formal Graduation Ceremony on Thursday.
Both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin will virtually attend the handover ceremony.
Interestingly, the country’s first nuclear power plant construction was first initiated in 1961 by the then-Pakistan government. However, the project faced various challenges and difficulties over the years and could not be completed.
After enduring 62 years of ups and downs and witnessing significant historical changes, the project is finally nearing completion.
Through this historic commissioning on Thursday, Bangladesh is going to step into the era of uranium fuel, marking a new chapter in its history.
Origins of the power plant: Before Liberation War
In 1961, during the then-Pakistan government's tenure, the initial initiative to build a nuclear power plant was taken.
Between 1962 and 1968, the Rooppur area in Ishwardi, Pabna, near the Padma River in former East Pakistan, was chosen as the site for the country's first nuclear power plant.
Several reviews were conducted at the time to verify the feasibility of the project.
For the nuclear power plant project, 260 acres of land were acquired, and an additional 32 acres were taken for residential purposes.
Partial development works, including office buildings, rest houses, an electrical substation, and some residential units, were completed.
However, in 1969-1970, the then-Pakistan government decided to cancel the implementation of this 200MW power production project.
After Liberation War
After Bangladesh gained independence in 1971 following the Liberation War, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, retook the initiative to construct the 200-megawatt nuclear power plant.
From 1977 to 1986, MS Sofratom conducted a feasibility study and found the Rooppur site suitable for constructing a nuclear power plant.
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved a 125MW nuclear power plant project. However, due to some constraints and limitations, that plan could not be implemented.
In 1987-1988, two companies from Germany and Switzerland conducted a second feasibility study and justified that the Rooppur site was technically, economically and financially feasible for a 300-500MW nuclear power plant.
Between 1997 and 2000, the then Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) Chairman Dr MA Wazed Miah took a fresh initiative to construct a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 600MW.
Bangladesh Nuclear Power Action Plan was approved by the government in 2000.
2008-2012: From Awami League’s manifesto to atomic energy act
In the Awami League's 2008 election manifesto, they pledged to build the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna.
Once in power, the party started Bangladesh's first nuclear power project.
Under a development program titled as “Accomplishment of Essential Activities for the Implementation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project”, steps were taken to perform the primary preparatory works and development of nuclear infrastructures.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on “Cooperation in Using Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purpose” was signed on May 13, 2009, between BAEC and Russia's state-owned atomic company Rosatom.
A framework agreement on “Cooperation in Using Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purpose” was signed between Bangladesh and the Russian Federation on May 21, 2010.
To ensure the smooth execution of the project, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a national committee, a technical committee led by the science and technology minister, and a working group headed by the secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology were formed, along with eight sub-working groups.
The decision to build the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was approved in the parliament on November 10, 2010.
In December 2010, the former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, visited Bangladesh and committed full support from the IAEA for the Rooppur project.
An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Bangladesh government and the Russian Federation on cooperation concerning the construction of the Rooppur NPP was signed on November 2, 2011.
From November 9-15, 2011, an IAEA Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission was conducted to evaluate the overall status of Bangladesh's nuclear infrastructure.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Act, 2012 was passed in the parliament on June 19, 2012.
RNPP's first phase construction inaugurated
On January 15, 2013, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Russia, a state export credit agreement was signed for the preparatory work of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Based on the signed intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and the state export credit agreement, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant establishment (first phase) project was adopted.
On October 2, 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the first phase of the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Formation of NPP act, NPCBL
On September 16, 2015, the Nuclear Power Plant Act 2015, which contains provisions for the establishment and management of an operating organization for the nuclear power plant, was issued.
On August 18, the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) was formed for the establishment and operation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and other nuclear power plants.
Another agreement was signed on December 25 for the execution of the main phase of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.
From May 10-14, 2016, a follow-up mission was conducted to review the progress in implementing the IAEA's recommendations on establishing the necessary nuclear infrastructure for the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
On June 21, 2016, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority granted a site licence for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
A meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) between Russia and Bangladesh concerning the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project was held in Dhaka on June 22, 2016.
This meeting made key decisions regarding the supply, management, operation and maintenance of fuel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Bangladesh and Russian governments signed the intergovernmental credit agreement for the construction of the Rooppur NPP on July 26, 2016.
An agreement between the Russian Federation and Bangladesh on “Cooperation Concerning Return of Spent Nuclear Fuel from Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Russian Federation” was signed on March 15, 2017.
An intergovernmental agreement between the Bangladesh government and the Indian government on “Cooperation in the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy” and an inter-agency Agreement between the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), India’s Department of Atomic Energy and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission on “Cooperation Regarding Nuclear Power Plant Projects in Bangladesh” was signed on April 8, 2017.
Satisfaction over the plant construction
On July 3, 2017, Yukiya Amano visited the construction site of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
At that time, he expressed satisfaction that the plant followed all international standards.
An agreement between the Bangladesh government and the Russian Federation on “Cooperation Concerning Return of Spent Nuclear Fuel from Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Russian Federation” was signed on August 30, 2017.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Control Authority (BAERA) issued the design and construction licence for Rooppur NPP Unit-1 in favour of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission on November 4, 2017.
On 30 November 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the concrete pouring of the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Nuclear reactor pressure vessels inaugurated
On October 10, 2021, and October 18, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the work to install the nuclear reactor pressure vessels for the first and second units of the power plant.
She participated virtually from Ganabhaban in both events. Rosatom Director General Aleksey Likhachev was present at the event under the chairmanship of Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman in Rooppur.
Nuclear Fuel Batch Celebration
The first batch of fresh uranium, the nuclear fuel of the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, was taken from Dhaka to the project site on September 29, 2023.
Director General of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, will hand over the fuel officially to the project authority in the Rooppur project.
Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman will preside over the function while Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will join the ceremony through video conference.
Project director Dr Mohammad Shawkat Akbar and other sources reported that foreign nationals working on the project, including Russians, reside in the Green City Housing project and various events have been organized for them which will continue until October 6.
During a visit to the Green City Housing project on Tuesday, Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman said that the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is Bangladesh's greatest achievement since its independence.
With this, Bangladesh has become the 33rd nuclear power country and has gained the capability to work with this technology, he added.
Anticipated Power Production in 2024 and 2025
The construction of the two units of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, spread over 1,062 acres of land, is nearly in its final stages. Officials have indicated that it will be possible to commence operations as scheduled.
In March 2024, the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is set to begin producing 1,200MW of electricity.
By mid-2025, the second unit is also expected to start producing a similar amount of power.
The electricity produced by this project will be added to the national grid.
Those involved hope that this will significantly contribute to meeting the country's power deficit.
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Rooppur will be ready on time
The much-awaited Rooppur nuclear power plant is coming along at more or less the expected pace but the country has to wait longer to enjoy the benefits as the power evacuation facility from the plant would not be ready on time.
Rooppur will be ready on time
But power generation will be delayed
Photo: Collected
The much-awaited Rooppur nuclear power plant is coming along at more or less the expected pace but the country has to wait longer to enjoy the benefits as the power evacuation facility from the plant would not be ready on time.
One of the two projects for power evacuation from Rooppur, which was taken up in April 2018 for completion by December this year, saw 63 percent physical progress and 47.78 percent financial progress as of June, according to the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB). The Tk 10,981 crore transmission project is unlikely to be completed before the middle of next year, according to officials.
Photo: Collected
The much-awaited Rooppur nuclear power plant is coming along at more or less the expected pace but the country has to wait longer to enjoy the benefits as the power evacuation facility from the plant would not be ready on time.
One of the two projects for power evacuation from Rooppur, which was taken up in April 2018 for completion by December this year, saw 63 percent physical progress and 47.78 percent financial progress as of June, according to the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB). The Tk 10,981 crore transmission project is unlikely to be completed before the middle of next year, according to officials.
The physical progress of the other project, which was taken up in July 2022 for completion by June 2025, is just 5 percent and the financial progress is 7.47 percent as of July 3, according to PGCB.
Under the project, 7 kilometre-long 400 kV and 230 kV double circuit lines crossing the Jamuna river and a 2 km-long 400 kV single circuit line across the Padma river were supposed to be set up at a cost of Tk 6,056.3 crore.
"It will not be possible to start test production unless the power evacuation facility is up and running," said a top official of the Tk 113,092 crore Rooppur power plant project on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly on the matter.
As of July, the Rooppur power plant in Pabna has seen 60 percent physical progress and 58 percent financial progress, according to a report of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division on the status of eight fast-track projects taken up between 2009 and 2016.
The project has reached its most important stage: fresh nuclear fuel will soon be delivered to the site, which will mark the transition of the nuclear power plant under construction into the status of a nuclear facility and make Bangladesh a member of the "nuclear community".
The first unit of the Rooppur nuclear power plant was scheduled to start commissioning in March next year and the other unit a year later.
Another fast-track project, the Tk 16,000 crore Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, is yet to begin full-swing operation for lack of transmission facilities and dredging in the Pashur river, according to the IMED report.
The project's physical progress is 94.64 percent and financial progress is 89.93 percent.
The deadline for the project was February 2023, and one unit of the plant has already gone into operation in December last year. However, it is yet to reach its maximum production capacity, the IMED report said.
For power supply from the plant, a 400 kV Ameenbazar line and a 230 kV Khulna line have been readied.
However, it has not been possible to supply full evacuation from the operational unit. On the other hand, when the Payra plant is operational, less electricity from the Rampal plant can be supplied through the Ameenbazar line, the IMED report said.
Besides, coal supply to the Rampal plant has been interrupted as navigability in the Pashur river has reduced amid a lack of dredging. Dredging in the Pashur river will not begin before June 2024, according to the Mongla port authority.
"There is no limitation to evacuating the power from Payra and Rampal -- we are transmitting what they are producing," AKM Gause Mohiuddin Ahmed, managing director of PGCB, told The Daily Star.
He said the IMED report might be dated.
"We have issued the clearance a long time back that we can evacuate the total electricity from both the Payra and Rampal power plants," Ahmed added.
The second unit of the Rampal plant is expected to go into commercial operation in October this year. The plant will require about 80 lakh tonnes of coal in the next three years as fuel consumption.
For uninterrupted coal supply, the IMED suggested the Bangladesh Bank ensure adequate dollars.
However, one of the fast-track projects, the much-talked-about Padma bridge, was opened for vehicular movement in June last year -- which is ahead of schedule. Only 1 percent of the physical work now remains, while the financial progress for the project is 89 percent.
The Tk 39,246 crore Padma Bridge Rail Link Project saw 81 percent physical progress and 75.5 percent financial progress, according to the report.
As of July, the Tk 4,374.47 crore Payra deep seaport project achieved 90 percent physical progress and 86 percent financial progress.
The Tk 33,461 crore Dhaka Metro Rail project, known officially as the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project Line 6, has recorded physical progress of 78 percent and financial progress of 68 percent.
Metro is running from Uttara to Agargaon, and from October, it will be ferrying passengers up to Motijheel. The rest of the line -- from Motijheel to Kamlapur -- is under construction.
Another project the Moheskhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development project has 12 components including a 1,200 MW power plant.
The Tk 51,854 crore project has made 77.70 percent physical progress and 64.91 percent financial progress.
The project was undertaken in 2014 with a deadline set for full implementation by December 2026.
The physical progress of the Matarbari port and the power plant is 94 percent and the power plant's initial synchronisation has been completed, the IMED report said.
With the power evacuation line completed, the power plant has a target to start producing electricity in December.
The Tk 18,034 crore Single Line Dual Gauge Railway Track from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar saw 87 percent physical progress and 44 percent financial progress. The railway is likely to be opened in September.
However, a project official said the cost is likely to be slashed by $400 million as it is yet to be decided whether one of the components -- a 28-km railway from Ramu to Gundam near Myanmar -- would be constructed.
The total cost for the eight projects is Tk 308,676 crore, 67 percent of which has been spent as of July, according to the report.
Under the project, 7 kilometre-long 400 kV and 230 kV double circuit lines crossing the Jamuna river and a 2 km-long 400 kV single circuit line across the Padma river were supposed to be set up at a cost of Tk 6,056.3 crore.
"It will not be possible to start test production unless the power evacuation facility is up and running," said a top official of the Tk 113,092 crore Rooppur power plant project on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly on the matter.
As of July, the Rooppur power plant in Pabna has seen 60 percent physical progress and 58 percent financial progress, according to a report of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division on the status of eight fast-track projects taken up between 2009 and 2016.
The project has reached its most important stage: fresh nuclear fuel will soon be delivered to the site, which will mark the transition of the nuclear power plant under construction into the status of a nuclear facility and make Bangladesh a member of the "nuclear community".
The first unit of the Rooppur nuclear power plant was scheduled to start commissioning in March next year and the other unit a year later.
Another fast-track project, the Tk 16,000 crore Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, is yet to begin full-swing operation for lack of transmission facilities and dredging in the Pashur river, according to the IMED report.
The project's physical progress is 94.64 percent and financial progress is 89.93 percent.
The deadline for the project was February 2023, and one unit of the plant has already gone into operation in December last year. However, it is yet to reach its maximum production capacity, the IMED report said.
For power supply from the plant, a 400 kV Ameenbazar line and a 230 kV Khulna line have been readied.
However, it has not been possible to supply full evacuation from the operational unit. On the other hand, when the Payra plant is operational, less electricity from the Rampal plant can be supplied through the Ameenbazar line, the IMED report said.
Besides, coal supply to the Rampal plant has been interrupted as navigability in the Pashur river has reduced amid a lack of dredging. Dredging in the Pashur river will not begin before June 2024, according to the Mongla port authority.
"There is no limitation to evacuating the power from Payra and Rampal -- we are transmitting what they are producing," AKM Gause Mohiuddin Ahmed, managing director of PGCB, told The Daily Star.
He said the IMED report might be dated.
"We have issued the clearance a long time back that we can evacuate the total electricity from both the Payra and Rampal power plants," Ahmed added.
The second unit of the Rampal plant is expected to go into commercial operation in October this year. The plant will require about 80 lakh tonnes of coal in the next three years as fuel consumption.
For uninterrupted coal supply, the IMED suggested the Bangladesh Bank ensure adequate dollars.
However, one of the fast-track projects, the much-talked-about Padma bridge, was opened for vehicular movement in June last year -- which is ahead of schedule. Only 1 percent of the physical work now remains, while the financial progress for the project is 89 percent.
The Tk 39,246 crore Padma Bridge Rail Link Project saw 81 percent physical progress and 75.5 percent financial progress, according to the report.
As of July, the Tk 4,374.47 crore Payra deep seaport project achieved 90 percent physical progress and 86 percent financial progress.
The Tk 33,461 crore Dhaka Metro Rail project, known officially as the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project Line 6, has recorded physical progress of 78 percent and financial progress of 68 percent.
Metro is running from Uttara to Agargaon, and from October, it will be ferrying passengers up to Motijheel. The rest of the line -- from Motijheel to Kamlapur -- is under construction.
Another project the Moheskhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development project has 12 components including a 1,200 MW power plant.
The Tk 51,854 crore project has made 77.70 percent physical progress and 64.91 percent financial progress.
The project was undertaken in 2014 with a deadline set for full implementation by December 2026.
The physical progress of the Matarbari port and the power plant is 94 percent and the power plant's initial synchronisation has been completed, the IMED report said.
With the power evacuation line completed, the power plant has a target to start producing electricity in December.
The Tk 18,034 crore Single Line Dual Gauge Railway Track from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar saw 87 percent physical progress and 44 percent financial progress. The railway is likely to be opened in September.
However, a project official said the cost is likely to be slashed by $400 million as it is yet to be decided whether one of the components -- a 28-km railway from Ramu to Gundam near Myanmar -- would be constructed.
The total cost for the eight projects is Tk 308,676 crore, 67 percent of which has been spent as of July, according to the report.
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Bangladesh PM inaugurates Rooppur 2 reactor vessel installation : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hailed the benefits to come at an event coinciding with the installation of the reactor pressure vessel at Rooppur 2, the second unit of Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant.
Bangladesh PM inaugurates Rooppur 2 reactor vessel installation
20 October 2022
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hailed the benefits to come at an event coinciding with the installation of the reactor pressure vessel at Rooppur 2, the second unit of Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant.
Unit 2 is due to begin operation in 2024 (Image: Rosatom)
The prime minister joined the event virtually, saying: "Rooppur NPP will help us provide a better life for our compatriots. Once again, I thank Russia for helping to build this power plant. We paid attention to the overall safety and reliability of the construction of a nuclear power plant. Safety was our main concern."
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachov, who is visiting Bangladesh, marked the occasion saying: "A year ago, we witnessed the installation of the first reactor vessel in its regular place, and today the same operation was completed at the second reactor. We see that the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh is proceeding actively, despite the obstacles that the pandemic has created for us.
"I am sincerely grateful to the entire team of builders for their well-coordinated work. I express my gratitude to the authorities of the Republic of Bangladesh for their full support of the project. Together, every day we bring closer the launch of the nuclear power plant, which the people of Bangladesh are waiting for."
The Dhaka Tribune reports that during a visit to the construction site on Tuesday the Science and Technology minister Yeafesh Osman said the overall project was now 53% complete, and the first unit more than 70% complete.
The newspaper reported the Rooppur NPP Project Director Shaukat Akbar as saying they were hoping to meet the target of starting production of the first unit on a trial basis in October 2023 and "be fully ready to supply in 2024".
The Rooppur plant, which is about 160 kilometres from the capital Dhaka, will have two Russian VVER-1200 reactors with a capacity of 2400 MWe. As part of the installation process the 334-tonne reactor vessel was moved through the transport lock into the containment of the reactor building and installed in the design position.
During his visit, Likhachov also took part in the opening ceremony of the station's new training centre where staff from Bangladesh will be trained in specialised classrooms and production facilities.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hailed the benefits to come at an event coinciding with the installation of the reactor pressure vessel at Rooppur 2, the second unit of Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant.
Unit 2 is due to begin operation in 2024 (Image: Rosatom)
The prime minister joined the event virtually, saying: "Rooppur NPP will help us provide a better life for our compatriots. Once again, I thank Russia for helping to build this power plant. We paid attention to the overall safety and reliability of the construction of a nuclear power plant. Safety was our main concern."
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachov, who is visiting Bangladesh, marked the occasion saying: "A year ago, we witnessed the installation of the first reactor vessel in its regular place, and today the same operation was completed at the second reactor. We see that the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh is proceeding actively, despite the obstacles that the pandemic has created for us.
"I am sincerely grateful to the entire team of builders for their well-coordinated work. I express my gratitude to the authorities of the Republic of Bangladesh for their full support of the project. Together, every day we bring closer the launch of the nuclear power plant, which the people of Bangladesh are waiting for."
The Dhaka Tribune reports that during a visit to the construction site on Tuesday the Science and Technology minister Yeafesh Osman said the overall project was now 53% complete, and the first unit more than 70% complete.
The newspaper reported the Rooppur NPP Project Director Shaukat Akbar as saying they were hoping to meet the target of starting production of the first unit on a trial basis in October 2023 and "be fully ready to supply in 2024".
The Rooppur plant, which is about 160 kilometres from the capital Dhaka, will have two Russian VVER-1200 reactors with a capacity of 2400 MWe. As part of the installation process the 334-tonne reactor vessel was moved through the transport lock into the containment of the reactor building and installed in the design position.
During his visit, Likhachov also took part in the opening ceremony of the station's new training centre where staff from Bangladesh will be trained in specialised classrooms and production facilities.
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First batch of uranium reaches Rooppur plant
The first batch of uranium for Rooppur nuclear power plant, which arrived at the Dhaka airport yesterday, reached the project site this afternoon under special security arrangements following international guidelines
First batch of uranium reaches Rooppur plant
Photo: Collected
The first batch of uranium for Rooppur nuclear power plant, which arrived at the Dhaka airport yesterday, reached the project site this afternoon under special security arrangements following international guidelines.
The consignment reached the Rooppur plant in Pabna's Ishwardi upazila around 1:25pm after it started from Dhaka this morning, reports our Pabna correspondent quoting an official of the power plant.
Bangladesh Army led the security protocol for transporting the nuclear fuel, a senior official of the Rooppur project said earlier seeking anonymity.
The radioactive fuel was carried in special vehicles escorted by vehicles of the armed forces, fire brigade, health service personnel, and other necessary security arrangements will be in place, sources said.
The radioactive fuel will be stored at the project site, sources in the power plant told our Pabna correspondent.
The handover ceremony is likely to be held on October 5. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to join the ceremony virtually, project sources said, adding that the director general of International Atomic Energy Agency is likely to attend the ceremony, project officials said.
A Russian chartered plane, carrying the nuclear fuel for Unit-1 in Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 1:30pm yesterday.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being built at Ishwardi in Pabna for $12.65 billion. The two units of the plant have a capacity to produce 2,400 MW of electricity. Unit-1 is likely to be commissioned next year.
M
Malang
Too late for Bangladesh.
The developed nations are shifted to alternative green energy options such as wind or solar energy.
You spend 9 billion USD to generate 1200MW in Pakistan, then carry the risk of accident for the duration of the nuclear plant or use the same amount to easily generate 2500-4000MW at the ever-decreasing cheaper cost compared to nuclear energy.
The choice is yours
en.wikipedia.org
It is good to have the knowledge of nuclear energy but no longer the most feasible option
The developed nations are shifted to alternative green energy options such as wind or solar energy.
You spend 9 billion USD to generate 1200MW in Pakistan, then carry the risk of accident for the duration of the nuclear plant or use the same amount to easily generate 2500-4000MW at the ever-decreasing cheaper cost compared to nuclear energy.
The choice is yours
Fukushima nuclear accident - Wikipedia
It is good to have the knowledge of nuclear energy but no longer the most feasible option
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Govt considering 2nd nuclear plant in Bangladesh: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government is planning to build another nuclear power plant to meet the country’s growing demand for electricity.
Govt considering 2nd nuclear plant in Bangladesh: PM
Photo: Star
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government is planning to build another nuclear power plant to meet the country's growing demand for electricity.
"Today is a very important day for us. The day is not only important for Bangladesh but also for me as well," she said while inaugurating the reactor pressure vessel installation work of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) via video conference from her official Gono Bhaban residence in Dhaka this morning, according to a BSS report.
"Bangladesh has entered the nuclear world," she added.
Hasina said the government has taken a decision to set up another nuclear power plant on completion of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.
"We're looking for a place in the southern region…It's difficult to find hard soil there but we're surveying various islands and different places to find a suitable one…My choice is on the other side of the Padma river…," UNB quoted her as saying.
Saying that the government is conducting surveys to select a suitable place, she said, "If the government can build another nuclear power plant in the country, there'll be no problem in power supply."
The prime minister said that the government has set a target to turn the country into a developed one within 2041.
In 2071, the prime minister said, the country will celebrate its 100 years of independence. "That will surely be celebrated by the new generation in a beautiful, developed, prosperous and modern technology knowledge-based country," she hoped.
Russian and Bangladeshi expert teams installed the reactor pressure vessel brought to the project site from Russia in October, 2020.
The plant would contain two power units with an electrical capacity of 1,200MW each.
Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman presided over the function and Russia's state-run atomic energy body Rosatom's Director General Alexey Likhachev spoke as the special guest from the RNPP project site.
Science and Technology Secretary, Ziaul Hasan, delivered the welcome address while Project Director of the plant, Dr Mohammad Shawkat Akbar, joined the event from the reactor building. A video presentation on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was screened at the function.
Project Director Shaukat Akbar told The Daily Star yesterday, "Installation of reactor pressure vessel is one of the major tasks for using nuclear energy to generate electricity. Nuclear fuel (uranium) from reactor pressure vessel is used to generate electricity."
With installation of the reactor in the main unit of the nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna, the country's aspiration to produce nuclear energy is going to be materialised.
Development of nuclear power industry will not only resolve the problem of energy supply in Bangladesh but will also contribute to the development of the region and enhance the living standards of the people.
The Rooppur project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, which is being constructed with the technical and financial support of Russia.
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Better late than never.
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Chinese company willing to build second nuke power plant in Bangladesh
China's state-owned company -- Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) -- wants to build the proposed second nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. A top official of the corporation said recently that the Chinese company had shown interest to build the second nuclear power plant which the government of Ba
Chinese company willing to build second nuke power plant in Bangladesh
ISMAIL HOSSAIN FROM SICHUAN
China's state-owned company -- Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) -- wants to build the proposed second nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.
A top official of the corporation said recently that the Chinese company had shown interest to build the second nuclear power plant which the government of Bangladesh is planning to set up.
"Bangladesh is our traditional market. We have constant communication with our Bangladeshi counterpart. But there is no promising result until now about the nuclear power plant," Vice President of Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) Hu Weidong told the FE while responding to a question at its head office in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan.
In November 2017, Bangladesh started the construction work of its first nuclear power plant at Rooppur of Pabna district.
Russia's state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom is implementing the project at a cost of $ 12.65 billion.
According to Rosatom, the first unit at Rooppur is scheduled to go into commercial operation in 2023 while the second unit in 2024.
However, Bangladesh has already made a list of eight sites for building the second nuclear power plant. Of the eight sites, four are in Khulna, close to the Sundarbans, and four others are at Majher Char in Barguna, Gangamati in Patuakhali, Boyar Char in Noakhali and Muhurir Char in Feni.
While talking to the FE, Mr Weidong said, "Nuclear power is clean and safe. It is future reply to increasing demand for power."
In reply to a question about mounting concerns over safety and security of nuclear power, he said DEC is capable of building and running safe and secured nuclear power plant.
He said DEC provides nuclear power plant machinery to France, the UK and Pakistan. It also runs nuclear power plants in China.
He said every country has its own way of choosing business deal.
"Certainly Bangladesh has its preferences. We are trying our best," he added.
According to Bangladesh officials, once the site for second nuclear power plant is finalised and an elaborate feasibility study will be conducted, and the power generation capacity of the nuclear plant will be fixed.
The state-owned Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is working on the project.
BAEC started the project following a directive by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2014 to set up a second nuclear power plant in the south.
DEC, headquartered in Chengdu, is one of the most influential enterprise groups under the direct administration of the Chinese central government.
With the development over half a century, DEC has become a comprehensive group specialised in manufacturing industry, research and development of cutting edge technology, contracting international engineering projects, exporting complete plants and equipment, and conducting international economic and technical cooperation.
DEC represents top-class technological and manufacturing level for China's heavy machinery and equipment industry, and is appointed by the Chinese central government as one of the most important state-owned enterprise groups concerning the national economy.
Being an active international contractor, DEC takes the lead in China particularly in contracting international power stations and a wide variety of large engineering projects, and exports complete plants and equipment to almost 70 countries involving projects in such diverse fields as power generation, electric and mechanical works, power distribution and transmission, railways, environmental protection, heavy duty mining and metallurgy equipment, traffic and transportation, communication etc.
It has also power projects in Bangladesh.
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Is Bangladesh’s ‘nuclear prestige’ an illusion?
Does Bangladesh really require another nuclear power plant? Or is the decision partly motivated by the pursuit of prestige?
Is Bangladesh's 'nuclear prestige' an illusion?
Do we really need, or can we really afford, to build another nuclear power plant? PHOTO: SANVI AHMED SAIM/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
It came as an unexpected surprise in early April when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Rosatom, the Russian state corporation that specialises in nuclear energy, to consider building another nuclear power station in Rooppur. The revelation came at a time when Bangladesh has already been struggling with depleting foreign exchange reserves, high inflation, load-shedding, poor human development, and an increasing debt burden. The country has already begun to seek new loans to repay its existing ones, as per a recent CPD analysis. In addition, Bangladesh is also taking fresh loans at high interest rates to buy oil and LNG from foreign sources. The country finds itself in an exceedingly precarious situation as both its external borrowings and debt-servicing obligations are increasing at a rapid pace. There is also uncertainty over securing a fresh source of foreign currency inflow to cover future debt.
In this circumstance, does Bangladesh really require another nuclear power plant? Or is the decision partly motivated by the pursuit of prestige?
"Nuclear prestige" refers to the high status that governments believe they can acquire by building nuclear weapons. Countries armed with nuclear weapons perceive it as a symbol of prestige because it represents the exclusive ability of employing an advanced technology, and the image of leadership it projects to the international community.
Research has shown that at key historical junctures, countries pursued nuclear weapons to gain prestige. Harvard political scientist Alastair Iain Johnston's research in 1995 showed that Mao's decision to construct a nuclear bomb was motivated in part by a desire to gain international prominence. American foreign policy and intelligence executive Gregory F Treverton used in his book, Framing Compellent Strategies, the example of Chandrasekhara Rao, whose reason for India's first explosion in 1974 was that nuclear weapons would enhance the country's prestige. Similar observations were made about France's Charles De Gaulle by Princeton academic Wilfried Kohl in 1971, and by Yale professor Barry O'Neill in 2006 about Iraq's Saddam Hussein pondering the use of nuclear weapons to acquire prestige and regional leadership.
Only 32 of the world's 195 countries have nuclear power facilities. With the exception of two lower middle-income countries, Pakistan and India, the majority of these nations belong to the high- or higher-middle-income category. These two nations' plans to build nuclear power facilities went hand in hand with their strategy to increase their nuclear weapons capabilities. India's nuclear programme began in the mid-1940s, when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned the potential to cover the complete fuel cycle, and India purchased its first reactor from Canada in the 1950s.
Similarly, China's nuclear programme was established in 1955, led by Mao Zedong. Ultimately, Pakistan took a significant step towards nuclear armament under the guidance of Bhutto following the loss of East Pakistan in 1971. These countries exhibited a common pattern of nuclear adoption. They developed their nuclear weapon programmes due to concerns about national security and the need to assert their national identity in a tense geopolitical landscape. The potential of conflict drove these nations to construct and solidify their national and military identities.
Interestingly, when Bangladesh decided to construct a nuclear power plant, certain interest groups portrayed it as a symbol of prestige. What they overlooked is that the historical concept of prestige is associated with gaining technical competence to produce weapons and energy, rather than importing nuclear technology and expertise from overseas and remaining indefinitely dependent on external power. The nuclear collaboration between Bangladesh and Russia is not a reflection of Bangladesh's financial capabilities, nor does it demonstrate its technical capacity to develop nuclear power plants on its own using domestic technology.
Russia is providing 90 percent of the funds in the form of loans. In other words, Russia is bankrolling this project so that Bangladesh can purchase Russian nuclear equipment and employ Russian consultants, specialists, and personnel. This so-called financial capacity, in reality, is a future debt burden for our citizens. And then, once the nuclear power plant is built, Russia will operate it as long as Bangladesh does not develop the capacity to run the project itself. Furthermore, the tripartite agreement between Bangladesh, Russia, and India enabled India to develop Bangladesh's human resource capacity for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). It is reasonable if India is proud of its human resource development efforts in Bangladesh. But is it a matter of prestige for Bangladesh to receive human resource training from India?
This leads us to the questions that are central to this discussion. Is this nuclear prestige false? Who benefits from this constructed sense of prestige?
Megaprojects are commonly recognised as effective means to demonstrate modernity and development. In numerous developing nations, dominant political parties frequently employ large-scale projects as a strategy to push the prominence of development, despite the fact that the benefits derived from these projects hardly ever reach the people.
For a weak state, lacking the ability to manage inflation, guarantee public service provision, and enforce laws, it is easier to create a false impression of progress than to allow the citizens to reap the benefits of true development. Building a nuclear power plant gave politicians a chance to create an illusion of attaining technical prowess when, in reality, we are simply boasting about the abilities and expertise of others.
It is noteworthy that around one-third of countries with nuclear power plants produce less than 10 percent of their total electricity from nuclear energy. These countries include Japan, Germany, China, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, Netherlands, Iran, and India. If nuclear power is such an efficient and ecologically beneficial energy source, why aren't these countries building more nuclear power plants?
The answer is straightforward. Even nations with sophisticated capabilities refrain from relying on nuclear power due to the inherent risks, exorbitant costs, and the long-lasting damage caused by radioactive waste for thousands of years. Despite India's nuclear weapons capacity, why was the contribution of nuclear power in its energy generation only 3.1 percent by 2022, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)? Once the RNPP commences operation, the share of nuclear power in Bangladesh's electricity output will be approximately seven percent, subject to future capacity increases. Constructing a second one will further increase the share.
Bangladesh has already borrowed $11.38 billion from Russia to build the first 2,400MW RNPP. The 20-year repayment period will begin in 2027, with $500 million per year for the first three years and then less in subsequent years. The first and second units were originally planned to be finished in 2023 and 2024, respectively. However, so far, 85 percent of the construction has been completed, with a revised completion date set for 2026.
How can a country consider building a second nuclear power plant when it doesn't know whether the first one will be able to operate successfully? We are not sure whether it will take two to three years or more for Bangladesh to be fully capable of operating RNPP on its own. With all of these uncertainties and risks, how can a country risk another one?
Since the days of Mao Zedong and Jawaharlal Nehru, the world has seen significant transformation. In the international arena, prestige is now defined as the ability to invest in research and development to exploit cutting-edge solar, wind, and green hydrogen technologies. Ironically, Bangladesh continues to adhere to a misleading definition of nuclear prestige. The country needs to realise its true potential, rather than relying on the illusion of nuclear prestige.
Moshahida Sultana Ritu is associate professor at the Department of Accounting and Information Systems of the University of Dhaka.
Do we really need, or can we really afford, to build another nuclear power plant? PHOTO: SANVI AHMED SAIM/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
It came as an unexpected surprise in early April when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Rosatom, the Russian state corporation that specialises in nuclear energy, to consider building another nuclear power station in Rooppur. The revelation came at a time when Bangladesh has already been struggling with depleting foreign exchange reserves, high inflation, load-shedding, poor human development, and an increasing debt burden. The country has already begun to seek new loans to repay its existing ones, as per a recent CPD analysis. In addition, Bangladesh is also taking fresh loans at high interest rates to buy oil and LNG from foreign sources. The country finds itself in an exceedingly precarious situation as both its external borrowings and debt-servicing obligations are increasing at a rapid pace. There is also uncertainty over securing a fresh source of foreign currency inflow to cover future debt.
In this circumstance, does Bangladesh really require another nuclear power plant? Or is the decision partly motivated by the pursuit of prestige?
"Nuclear prestige" refers to the high status that governments believe they can acquire by building nuclear weapons. Countries armed with nuclear weapons perceive it as a symbol of prestige because it represents the exclusive ability of employing an advanced technology, and the image of leadership it projects to the international community.
Research has shown that at key historical junctures, countries pursued nuclear weapons to gain prestige. Harvard political scientist Alastair Iain Johnston's research in 1995 showed that Mao's decision to construct a nuclear bomb was motivated in part by a desire to gain international prominence. American foreign policy and intelligence executive Gregory F Treverton used in his book, Framing Compellent Strategies, the example of Chandrasekhara Rao, whose reason for India's first explosion in 1974 was that nuclear weapons would enhance the country's prestige. Similar observations were made about France's Charles De Gaulle by Princeton academic Wilfried Kohl in 1971, and by Yale professor Barry O'Neill in 2006 about Iraq's Saddam Hussein pondering the use of nuclear weapons to acquire prestige and regional leadership.
Only 32 of the world's 195 countries have nuclear power facilities. With the exception of two lower middle-income countries, Pakistan and India, the majority of these nations belong to the high- or higher-middle-income category. These two nations' plans to build nuclear power facilities went hand in hand with their strategy to increase their nuclear weapons capabilities. India's nuclear programme began in the mid-1940s, when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned the potential to cover the complete fuel cycle, and India purchased its first reactor from Canada in the 1950s.
Similarly, China's nuclear programme was established in 1955, led by Mao Zedong. Ultimately, Pakistan took a significant step towards nuclear armament under the guidance of Bhutto following the loss of East Pakistan in 1971. These countries exhibited a common pattern of nuclear adoption. They developed their nuclear weapon programmes due to concerns about national security and the need to assert their national identity in a tense geopolitical landscape. The potential of conflict drove these nations to construct and solidify their national and military identities.
Interestingly, when Bangladesh decided to construct a nuclear power plant, certain interest groups portrayed it as a symbol of prestige. What they overlooked is that the historical concept of prestige is associated with gaining technical competence to produce weapons and energy, rather than importing nuclear technology and expertise from overseas and remaining indefinitely dependent on external power. The nuclear collaboration between Bangladesh and Russia is not a reflection of Bangladesh's financial capabilities, nor does it demonstrate its technical capacity to develop nuclear power plants on its own using domestic technology.
Russia is providing 90 percent of the funds in the form of loans. In other words, Russia is bankrolling this project so that Bangladesh can purchase Russian nuclear equipment and employ Russian consultants, specialists, and personnel. This so-called financial capacity, in reality, is a future debt burden for our citizens. And then, once the nuclear power plant is built, Russia will operate it as long as Bangladesh does not develop the capacity to run the project itself. Furthermore, the tripartite agreement between Bangladesh, Russia, and India enabled India to develop Bangladesh's human resource capacity for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). It is reasonable if India is proud of its human resource development efforts in Bangladesh. But is it a matter of prestige for Bangladesh to receive human resource training from India?
This leads us to the questions that are central to this discussion. Is this nuclear prestige false? Who benefits from this constructed sense of prestige?
Megaprojects are commonly recognised as effective means to demonstrate modernity and development. In numerous developing nations, dominant political parties frequently employ large-scale projects as a strategy to push the prominence of development, despite the fact that the benefits derived from these projects hardly ever reach the people.
For a weak state, lacking the ability to manage inflation, guarantee public service provision, and enforce laws, it is easier to create a false impression of progress than to allow the citizens to reap the benefits of true development. Building a nuclear power plant gave politicians a chance to create an illusion of attaining technical prowess when, in reality, we are simply boasting about the abilities and expertise of others.
It is noteworthy that around one-third of countries with nuclear power plants produce less than 10 percent of their total electricity from nuclear energy. These countries include Japan, Germany, China, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, Netherlands, Iran, and India. If nuclear power is such an efficient and ecologically beneficial energy source, why aren't these countries building more nuclear power plants?
The answer is straightforward. Even nations with sophisticated capabilities refrain from relying on nuclear power due to the inherent risks, exorbitant costs, and the long-lasting damage caused by radioactive waste for thousands of years. Despite India's nuclear weapons capacity, why was the contribution of nuclear power in its energy generation only 3.1 percent by 2022, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)? Once the RNPP commences operation, the share of nuclear power in Bangladesh's electricity output will be approximately seven percent, subject to future capacity increases. Constructing a second one will further increase the share.
Bangladesh has already borrowed $11.38 billion from Russia to build the first 2,400MW RNPP. The 20-year repayment period will begin in 2027, with $500 million per year for the first three years and then less in subsequent years. The first and second units were originally planned to be finished in 2023 and 2024, respectively. However, so far, 85 percent of the construction has been completed, with a revised completion date set for 2026.
How can a country consider building a second nuclear power plant when it doesn't know whether the first one will be able to operate successfully? We are not sure whether it will take two to three years or more for Bangladesh to be fully capable of operating RNPP on its own. With all of these uncertainties and risks, how can a country risk another one?
Since the days of Mao Zedong and Jawaharlal Nehru, the world has seen significant transformation. In the international arena, prestige is now defined as the ability to invest in research and development to exploit cutting-edge solar, wind, and green hydrogen technologies. Ironically, Bangladesh continues to adhere to a misleading definition of nuclear prestige. The country needs to realise its true potential, rather than relying on the illusion of nuclear prestige.
Moshahida Sultana Ritu is associate professor at the Department of Accounting and Information Systems of the University of Dhaka.
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The writer has conveniently forgotten that laundering tens of billions of dollars is the prime cause of dollar shortages in the country. Building second nuclear power plant won't cause economic hardship in the country as this nuclear plant will provide cheapest electricity once completed. For Bangladesh nuclear plant is not national prestige rather necessity as our gas reserve, which is used to run power plants, is about to exhaust within a few years. If we take a long term view of energy security of the country then nuclear technology is an absolute necessity to generate electricity and safeguard our energy interest.Is Bangladesh’s ‘nuclear prestige’ an illusion?
Does Bangladesh really require another nuclear power plant? Or is the decision partly motivated by the pursuit of prestige?www.thedailystar.net
Is Bangladesh's 'nuclear prestige' an illusion?
View attachment 5214
Do we really need, or can we really afford, to build another nuclear power plant? PHOTO: SANVI AHMED SAIM/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
It came as an unexpected surprise in early April when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Rosatom, the Russian state corporation that specialises in nuclear energy, to consider building another nuclear power station in Rooppur. The revelation came at a time when Bangladesh has already been struggling with depleting foreign exchange reserves, high inflation, load-shedding, poor human development, and an increasing debt burden. The country has already begun to seek new loans to repay its existing ones, as per a recent CPD analysis. In addition, Bangladesh is also taking fresh loans at high interest rates to buy oil and LNG from foreign sources. The country finds itself in an exceedingly precarious situation as both its external borrowings and debt-servicing obligations are increasing at a rapid pace. There is also uncertainty over securing a fresh source of foreign currency inflow to cover future debt.
In this circumstance, does Bangladesh really require another nuclear power plant? Or is the decision partly motivated by the pursuit of prestige?
"Nuclear prestige" refers to the high status that governments believe they can acquire by building nuclear weapons. Countries armed with nuclear weapons perceive it as a symbol of prestige because it represents the exclusive ability of employing an advanced technology, and the image of leadership it projects to the international community.
Research has shown that at key historical junctures, countries pursued nuclear weapons to gain prestige. Harvard political scientist Alastair Iain Johnston's research in 1995 showed that Mao's decision to construct a nuclear bomb was motivated in part by a desire to gain international prominence. American foreign policy and intelligence executive Gregory F Treverton used in his book, Framing Compellent Strategies, the example of Chandrasekhara Rao, whose reason for India's first explosion in 1974 was that nuclear weapons would enhance the country's prestige. Similar observations were made about France's Charles De Gaulle by Princeton academic Wilfried Kohl in 1971, and by Yale professor Barry O'Neill in 2006 about Iraq's Saddam Hussein pondering the use of nuclear weapons to acquire prestige and regional leadership.
Only 32 of the world's 195 countries have nuclear power facilities. With the exception of two lower middle-income countries, Pakistan and India, the majority of these nations belong to the high- or higher-middle-income category. These two nations' plans to build nuclear power facilities went hand in hand with their strategy to increase their nuclear weapons capabilities. India's nuclear programme began in the mid-1940s, when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned the potential to cover the complete fuel cycle, and India purchased its first reactor from Canada in the 1950s.
Similarly, China's nuclear programme was established in 1955, led by Mao Zedong. Ultimately, Pakistan took a significant step towards nuclear armament under the guidance of Bhutto following the loss of East Pakistan in 1971. These countries exhibited a common pattern of nuclear adoption. They developed their nuclear weapon programmes due to concerns about national security and the need to assert their national identity in a tense geopolitical landscape. The potential of conflict drove these nations to construct and solidify their national and military identities.
Interestingly, when Bangladesh decided to construct a nuclear power plant, certain interest groups portrayed it as a symbol of prestige. What they overlooked is that the historical concept of prestige is associated with gaining technical competence to produce weapons and energy, rather than importing nuclear technology and expertise from overseas and remaining indefinitely dependent on external power. The nuclear collaboration between Bangladesh and Russia is not a reflection of Bangladesh's financial capabilities, nor does it demonstrate its technical capacity to develop nuclear power plants on its own using domestic technology.
Russia is providing 90 percent of the funds in the form of loans. In other words, Russia is bankrolling this project so that Bangladesh can purchase Russian nuclear equipment and employ Russian consultants, specialists, and personnel. This so-called financial capacity, in reality, is a future debt burden for our citizens. And then, once the nuclear power plant is built, Russia will operate it as long as Bangladesh does not develop the capacity to run the project itself. Furthermore, the tripartite agreement between Bangladesh, Russia, and India enabled India to develop Bangladesh's human resource capacity for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). It is reasonable if India is proud of its human resource development efforts in Bangladesh. But is it a matter of prestige for Bangladesh to receive human resource training from India?
This leads us to the questions that are central to this discussion. Is this nuclear prestige false? Who benefits from this constructed sense of prestige?
Megaprojects are commonly recognised as effective means to demonstrate modernity and development. In numerous developing nations, dominant political parties frequently employ large-scale projects as a strategy to push the prominence of development, despite the fact that the benefits derived from these projects hardly ever reach the people.
For a weak state, lacking the ability to manage inflation, guarantee public service provision, and enforce laws, it is easier to create a false impression of progress than to allow the citizens to reap the benefits of true development. Building a nuclear power plant gave politicians a chance to create an illusion of attaining technical prowess when, in reality, we are simply boasting about the abilities and expertise of others.
It is noteworthy that around one-third of countries with nuclear power plants produce less than 10 percent of their total electricity from nuclear energy. These countries include Japan, Germany, China, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, Netherlands, Iran, and India. If nuclear power is such an efficient and ecologically beneficial energy source, why aren't these countries building more nuclear power plants?
The answer is straightforward. Even nations with sophisticated capabilities refrain from relying on nuclear power due to the inherent risks, exorbitant costs, and the long-lasting damage caused by radioactive waste for thousands of years. Despite India's nuclear weapons capacity, why was the contribution of nuclear power in its energy generation only 3.1 percent by 2022, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)? Once the RNPP commences operation, the share of nuclear power in Bangladesh's electricity output will be approximately seven percent, subject to future capacity increases. Constructing a second one will further increase the share.
Bangladesh has already borrowed $11.38 billion from Russia to build the first 2,400MW RNPP. The 20-year repayment period will begin in 2027, with $500 million per year for the first three years and then less in subsequent years. The first and second units were originally planned to be finished in 2023 and 2024, respectively. However, so far, 85 percent of the construction has been completed, with a revised completion date set for 2026.
How can a country consider building a second nuclear power plant when it doesn't know whether the first one will be able to operate successfully? We are not sure whether it will take two to three years or more for Bangladesh to be fully capable of operating RNPP on its own. With all of these uncertainties and risks, how can a country risk another one?
Since the days of Mao Zedong and Jawaharlal Nehru, the world has seen significant transformation. In the international arena, prestige is now defined as the ability to invest in research and development to exploit cutting-edge solar, wind, and green hydrogen technologies. Ironically, Bangladesh continues to adhere to a misleading definition of nuclear prestige. The country needs to realise its true potential, rather than relying on the illusion of nuclear prestige.
Moshahida Sultana Ritu is associate professor at the Department of Accounting and Information Systems of the University of Dhaka.
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Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: First unit to start production in Dec
One of the two units of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be commissioned this December if transmission lines are ready although the deadline for the project’s completion has been extended to 2027.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: First unit to start production in Dec
Project deadline extended by 2 years, but authorities hope to complete grid line work before scheduled commissioning
One of the two units of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be commissioned this December if transmission lines are ready although the deadline for the project's completion has been extended to 2027.
The decision to extend the deadline by two years was made at a meeting between Russian and Bangladeshi officials in Dhaka in the second week of February.
Officials, however, said no specific date for the project's completion has been fixed yet.
The 2400MW power plant is being built in Rooppur, Pabna, at a cost of $12.65 billion. Of the amount, $11.38 billion will be provided by Russia as soft loans. It is the most expensive development project in the country ever.
"Since this is a turnkey project, time extension will not result in additional costs," Yafes Osman, minister for science and technology, told The Daily Star.
Construction work was hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and delays in the construction of power lines, said several officials who attended the Joint Coordination Committee's meeting in February.
The original project proposal said unit-1 would be in operation on December 23, 2022, unit-2 on October 8, 2023, and the entire project would be done by December 31, 2025.
Construction of unit-1 formally began on November 30, 2017, and unit-2 on July 14, 2018.
In October 2023, the first Russian shipment of uranium reached the site on the bank of the Padma in Ishwardi, earning Bangladesh the recognition of being the 33rd country in the world to produce nuclear energy.
According to Project Director Zahedul Hasan, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh will set up four lines by October this year.
"If we get the lines on time, we believe unit-1 will be in operation in December," he said.
The PGCB is building six lines with a combined length of 669km.
From unit-1, there will be a 60km transmission line to Baghabari, 102km line to Bogura, 144km line to Gopalgonj, and 2km line across the Padma.
From Unit-2, there will be an 147km line to Dhaka, 14km of which will be over the Jamuna.
"A mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency is likely to visit the site for an inspection... we will start training the key personnel from May," said Zahedul, who replaced Shawkat Akbar, the first project director, on April 16.
The plant also needs an operational licence before nuclear fuel is loaded, he said.
Shawkat, now chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, which is implementing the project, said the deadline extension was not a matter of concern.
Delwar Hossain, project director of Transmission Lines for Power Evacuation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, told this newspaper that installation of lines on land had seen over 90 percent progress. The line across the Padma saw 40 percent progress and will be completed by October.
The part over the Jamuna will be done by 2025, he added.
Shafiqul Islam, a professor of nuclear engineering at Dhaka University, said, "To lower economic risks and to maintain a good reputation, a project like this must be completed within eight years. Delays will give the wrong message to the international community about our capability to handle such a sensitive project."
Yafes Osman said, "The main construction work did not begin on time. There were obstacles like Covid and Russia-Ukraine war… Almost all similar projects around the world need at least 10 years to complete."
Nuclear power will be a game-changer in Bangladesh's fight against climate change, he said.
Russia's state-owned Rosatom is constructing the plant with two VVER-1,200 reactors.
Project deadline extended by 2 years, but authorities hope to complete grid line work before scheduled commissioning
One of the two units of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be commissioned this December if transmission lines are ready although the deadline for the project's completion has been extended to 2027.
The decision to extend the deadline by two years was made at a meeting between Russian and Bangladeshi officials in Dhaka in the second week of February.
Officials, however, said no specific date for the project's completion has been fixed yet.
The 2400MW power plant is being built in Rooppur, Pabna, at a cost of $12.65 billion. Of the amount, $11.38 billion will be provided by Russia as soft loans. It is the most expensive development project in the country ever.
"Since this is a turnkey project, time extension will not result in additional costs," Yafes Osman, minister for science and technology, told The Daily Star.
Construction work was hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and delays in the construction of power lines, said several officials who attended the Joint Coordination Committee's meeting in February.
The original project proposal said unit-1 would be in operation on December 23, 2022, unit-2 on October 8, 2023, and the entire project would be done by December 31, 2025.
Construction of unit-1 formally began on November 30, 2017, and unit-2 on July 14, 2018.
In October 2023, the first Russian shipment of uranium reached the site on the bank of the Padma in Ishwardi, earning Bangladesh the recognition of being the 33rd country in the world to produce nuclear energy.
According to Project Director Zahedul Hasan, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh will set up four lines by October this year.
"If we get the lines on time, we believe unit-1 will be in operation in December," he said.
The PGCB is building six lines with a combined length of 669km.
From unit-1, there will be a 60km transmission line to Baghabari, 102km line to Bogura, 144km line to Gopalgonj, and 2km line across the Padma.
From Unit-2, there will be an 147km line to Dhaka, 14km of which will be over the Jamuna.
"A mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency is likely to visit the site for an inspection... we will start training the key personnel from May," said Zahedul, who replaced Shawkat Akbar, the first project director, on April 16.
The plant also needs an operational licence before nuclear fuel is loaded, he said.
Shawkat, now chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, which is implementing the project, said the deadline extension was not a matter of concern.
Delwar Hossain, project director of Transmission Lines for Power Evacuation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, told this newspaper that installation of lines on land had seen over 90 percent progress. The line across the Padma saw 40 percent progress and will be completed by October.
The part over the Jamuna will be done by 2025, he added.
Shafiqul Islam, a professor of nuclear engineering at Dhaka University, said, "To lower economic risks and to maintain a good reputation, a project like this must be completed within eight years. Delays will give the wrong message to the international community about our capability to handle such a sensitive project."
Yafes Osman said, "The main construction work did not begin on time. There were obstacles like Covid and Russia-Ukraine war… Almost all similar projects around the world need at least 10 years to complete."
Nuclear power will be a game-changer in Bangladesh's fight against climate change, he said.
Russia's state-owned Rosatom is constructing the plant with two VVER-1,200 reactors.
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Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: leave fear, know the facts
The use of nuclear energy is not new for Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been successfully using nuclear technology in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and research for a long time. However, Bangladesh is completely new to power generation using this technology. In this endeavor, Bangladesh is recei
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: leave fear, know the facts
SWAPAN KUMAR KUNDU
Published :
May 28, 2024 14:17
Updated :
May 28, 2024 14:17
The use of nuclear energy is not new for Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been successfully using nuclear technology in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and research for a long time. However, Bangladesh is completely new to power generation using this technology. In this endeavor, Bangladesh is receiving financial and technical support from its long-standing ally, Russia.
Although nuclear power generation is new to Bangladesh, it has been a global practice for almost half a century. Giventhe financial, technical, and environmental benefits, around thirty countries worldwide are already using nuclear technology in power generation. As the global population increases and the available landdecreases, densely populated and developing countries with limited energy resources are increasingly turning to nuclear power to support their socio-economic development.
Countries like Bangladesh considering nuclear energy for power generation are naturally apprehensive about accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, or Fukushima. In this regard, the Bangladesh government has prioritized safety in the implementation of the Rooppur nuclear power project which is now under construction. The project uses one of the world's safest technologies, the VVER-1200 reactor developedby Russia.This decision means that the Bangladesh government and related institutions, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, have placedutmost importance onselecting the reactor technology. This reactor is the latest version of the VVER-type reactor family. This technology will include all security features of the Russian Federation.The Rooppur project is being implemented step by step following all safety standards. It is being implemented by the current government with utmost importance. Even when the entire world came to a virtual standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work on the Rooppur project went ahead maintainingproper hygiene protocols.
To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
SWAPAN KUMAR KUNDU
Published :
May 28, 2024 14:17
Updated :
May 28, 2024 14:17
The use of nuclear energy is not new for Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been successfully using nuclear technology in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and research for a long time. However, Bangladesh is completely new to power generation using this technology. In this endeavor, Bangladesh is receiving financial and technical support from its long-standing ally, Russia.
Although nuclear power generation is new to Bangladesh, it has been a global practice for almost half a century. Giventhe financial, technical, and environmental benefits, around thirty countries worldwide are already using nuclear technology in power generation. As the global population increases and the available landdecreases, densely populated and developing countries with limited energy resources are increasingly turning to nuclear power to support their socio-economic development.
Countries like Bangladesh considering nuclear energy for power generation are naturally apprehensive about accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, or Fukushima. In this regard, the Bangladesh government has prioritized safety in the implementation of the Rooppur nuclear power project which is now under construction. The project uses one of the world's safest technologies, the VVER-1200 reactor developedby Russia.This decision means that the Bangladesh government and related institutions, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, have placedutmost importance onselecting the reactor technology. This reactor is the latest version of the VVER-type reactor family. This technology will include all security features of the Russian Federation.The Rooppur project is being implemented step by step following all safety standards. It is being implemented by the current government with utmost importance. Even when the entire world came to a virtual standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work on the Rooppur project went ahead maintainingproper hygiene protocols.
To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
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- #15
- Jan 24, 2024
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Too late for Bangladesh.
The developed nations are shifted to alternative green energy options such as wind or solar energy.
You spend 9 billion USD to generate 1200MW in Pakistan, then carry the risk of accident for the duration of the nuclear plant or use the same amount to easily generate 2500-4000MW at the ever-decreasing cheaper cost compared to nuclear energy.
The choice is yours
Fukushima nuclear accident - Wikipedia
It is good to have the knowledge of nuclear energy but no longer the most feasible option
Wind and Solar discussion is off topic here, please look for a separate thread on that subject or open one.
Bangladesh’s largest PV plant comes online
The solar facility will sell power to the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh under a 20-year PPA.
www.pv-magazine.com
Country's first commercial wind power plant starts production
Bangladesh has achieved a new milestone in its renewable energy ambition, with the country's first commercial wind power plant going into full production this month. The wind power plant in Cox's Bazar, boasting a capacity of 60 megawatts, started full-scale operation on 8 March and has been...
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- #16
- Jan 24, 2024
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You are 100% right. Shombhoboto Chetonabadi Bharatiyo RAW-sponsored writer. I can smell the opinion of these people from miles away. Their logic have so many holes in them like swiss-cheese. Propaganda made for majority semi-educated people in Bangladesh. This is how they have exploited our country for the past 50 years since 1971. Making Bangladesh a weak entity is their mantra, forever beholden to India for everything.
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- #17
You are a RAW slayer
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- #18
- Jan 24, 2024
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You are a RAW slayer
Only by opinion brother.
Those who oppose Indian govt. hegemony over Bangladesh are the true patriots.
However we have no issues with people-to-people relations with Indians.
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- #19
Indian people vote for BJP---A die hard anti Muslim political party in India. The Indian people have been brainwashed by RSS and I don't expect friendship from them.Only by opinion brother.
Those who oppose Indian govt. hegemony over Bangladesh are the true patriots.
However we have no issues with people-to-people relations with Indians.
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- #20
- Jan 24, 2024
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Loktantra (Democracy) will return to India, I am always an optimist about that. Modi succeeded in duping the Indians - that is true.
Dhruv Rathee is an Indian I like.
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- #21
Congress is also an anti Muslim/anti Bangladesh entity in India. As for Bangladesh India relations, Congress has harmed Bangladesh more than BJP. The Farakka barrage was created by Congress, South Talpatti was forcefully occupied by Congress, Shanti Bahini was created by Congress, Border killings were initiated by Congress, Gajoldoba and Tipaimukh barrages were created by Congress. I am sure they will try to jeopardize our civilian nuclear program if they come to power. That's why I have no hope for relation between Bangladesh and India.
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- Jan 24, 2024
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New Foreign Relations Adviser and Russian Envoy complete meeting, and adviser says that Rooppur Nuclear Power Station will be completed on time as planned - change of administration to have minimal effect.
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Repayment of Russian loans to be delayed, Chinese credit on hold
Officials said the ERD is working on amending the previous loan agreements and a draft has been finalised.
en.prothomalo.com
Repayment of Russian loans to be delayed, Chinese credit on hold
Jahangir ShahDhaka
Updated: 24 Aug 2024, 14: 51
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant area on 4 October 2023Hasan Mahmud
The government has taken fresh measures to ease the pressure of foreign debt payments. Payments of Russian loans on the Rooppur nuclear power plant project are to be deferred for two years, and Russia has already responded positively to the proposal from Bangladesh. If payment of the Russian debt instalments is deferred for two years, the government can save about USD 800 million now, according to sources at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
Officials said the ERD is working on amending the previous loan agreements and a draft has been finalised, followed by sending it to the Ministry of Science and Technology and other ministries concerned.
In the meantime, the government has decided to back off from the plan to take Chinese loans equivalent to USD 5 billion amid the changed political situation. These loans were supposed to be received in Chinese currency yuan.
According to the ERD sources, the government wants to defer the payment of the instalment of the loans on the Rooppur nuclear power plant project on the ground that the country's economy is still under pressure due to Covid-19 and the Ukraine situation. On the other hand, a decision has been taken to run proper scrutiny before taking any bilateral loans from China due to the changed political situation. Officials said ERD received such instructions from the policymakers.
Salim Raihan, executive director of South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), said there is still pressure on foreign debt payment, and it is a good initiative to defer the payment of the debt capital of the Rooppur nuclear power plant construction. Like the Rooppur project, negotiations should also start to defer payment of debt capital on such other projects, and for this, it is necessary to form a high-powered committee.
Jahangir ShahDhaka
Updated: 24 Aug 2024, 14: 51
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant area on 4 October 2023Hasan Mahmud
The government has taken fresh measures to ease the pressure of foreign debt payments. Payments of Russian loans on the Rooppur nuclear power plant project are to be deferred for two years, and Russia has already responded positively to the proposal from Bangladesh. If payment of the Russian debt instalments is deferred for two years, the government can save about USD 800 million now, according to sources at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
Officials said the ERD is working on amending the previous loan agreements and a draft has been finalised, followed by sending it to the Ministry of Science and Technology and other ministries concerned.
In the meantime, the government has decided to back off from the plan to take Chinese loans equivalent to USD 5 billion amid the changed political situation. These loans were supposed to be received in Chinese currency yuan.
According to the ERD sources, the government wants to defer the payment of the instalment of the loans on the Rooppur nuclear power plant project on the ground that the country's economy is still under pressure due to Covid-19 and the Ukraine situation. On the other hand, a decision has been taken to run proper scrutiny before taking any bilateral loans from China due to the changed political situation. Officials said ERD received such instructions from the policymakers.
Salim Raihan, executive director of South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), said there is still pressure on foreign debt payment, and it is a good initiative to defer the payment of the debt capital of the Rooppur nuclear power plant construction. Like the Rooppur project, negotiations should also start to defer payment of debt capital on such other projects, and for this, it is necessary to form a high-powered committee.
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Rooppur power plant construction may be delayed: Russian ambassador
Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Manatytskiy has said that under the present circumstances, there may be some delay in the construction process of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. He said this while speaking to journalists after paying a courtesy call on the foreign affairs advisor Md...
en.prothomalo.com
Rooppur power plant construction may be delayed: Russian ambassador
Diplomatic Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 15 Aug 2024, 18: 35
Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Manatytskiy pays a courtesy call on foreign affairs advisor Md Touhid Hossain PID
Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Manatytskiy has said that under the present circumstances, there may be some delay in the construction process of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
He said this while speaking to journalists after paying a courtesy call on the foreign affairs advisor Md Touhid Hossain today, Thursday."
The Russian ambassador said, "I can understand that there may be somewhat of a delay in the construction process of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plan, given the present circumstances. However, the delay will not be too long."
The Russian foreign minister in December last year had remarked that the US may create an "Arab Spring-like" situation in Bangladesh. Is the recent student uprising that "Bangla Spring"?
In reply to this question that was posed to him, Russian ambassador Alexander Manatytskiy replied, "I have no such information. If you have such information, you may share it with us.
Diplomatic Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 15 Aug 2024, 18: 35
Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Manatytskiy pays a courtesy call on foreign affairs advisor Md Touhid Hossain PID
Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Manatytskiy has said that under the present circumstances, there may be some delay in the construction process of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
He said this while speaking to journalists after paying a courtesy call on the foreign affairs advisor Md Touhid Hossain today, Thursday."
The Russian ambassador said, "I can understand that there may be somewhat of a delay in the construction process of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plan, given the present circumstances. However, the delay will not be too long."
The Russian foreign minister in December last year had remarked that the US may create an "Arab Spring-like" situation in Bangladesh. Is the recent student uprising that "Bangla Spring"?
In reply to this question that was posed to him, Russian ambassador Alexander Manatytskiy replied, "I have no such information. If you have such information, you may share it with us.
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Dhaka faces a bit of trouble over Russian loan repayments
As Russian banks faced sanctions over the Russia-Ukraine war, they now want to take the interest money through the Chinese bank.
en.prothomalo.com
Dhaka faces a bit of trouble over Russian loan repayments
Jahangir Shah
Dhaka
Published: 23 Sep 2024, 12: 45
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant File photo
Trouble is brewing over the repayment of Russia’s loans for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as Dhaka proposed an extension on repayment of capital, but Moscow is very reluctant on this matter. Rather they want payment of loan interest to be made through Chinese banks, which Dhaka is yet to give a green signal. As a result, the government faces a dilemma.
In the meantime, the interim government moved to review the loan agreements of various big projects including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Thus fear looms large over possible strains in the bilateral relations between Dhaka and Moscow centering the Russian loan, according to sources concerned of the finance ministry’s Economic Relations Division.
Bangladesh started building the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at a cost of about Tk 1.14 trillion in 2016 and the project is set to be finished on 31 December 2025. Now the deadline seems to be delayed by two more years. Moscow is lending USD 12.65 billion for this project.
Selim Raihan, executive director of the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), said, “The matter of loan repayment should be discussed with Russia since there has already been a big investment. So, it is necessary to negotiate logically instead of getting emotional. If Russia can be convinced of our situation the matter will be solved soon.”
Pressures persist on the economy due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. That is why the operation of the Russian contractor firm for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant slowed down. The interim government proposed that Russia defers the repayment of capital for two years, and Russia also agreed primarily. So, the ERD prepared a draft loan agreement with some changes and gave opinions to the offices concerned including project implementing agencies, science and technology ministry, but there has been no progress since then.
On the other hand, Russia made another proposal to Bangladesh in August, asking that the money held in the special account of Bangladesh Bank be sent to Russia through a Chinese bank. Dhaka is yet to respond to the proposal.
To date, an overdue of USD 630 million has been deposited in a special account of Bangladesh Bank. As Russian banks faced sanctions over the Russia-Ukraine war, they wanted to take the interest money through the Chinese bank.
According to ERD sources, the 10-year grace period of Russian loan repayment ends on 15 March 2027, and repayment of capital starts subsequently. Dhaka requested Moscow to fix the deadline for the grace period at 15 March 2019, but no meeting was fixed over the past month.
Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Aleksandr Mantytsky held a meeting with the finance and commerce adviser to the interim government Salehuddin Ahmed on 25 August. ERD sources said issues related to start repayment of instalments of the Russian loans and payment through which currency were discussed at the meeting. Russia wants to take the interest money soon.
USD 390 million per instalment
Bangladesh borrowed USD 12.65 billion from the Russia EXIM Bank for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. A bilateral agreement was signed on this matter in 2016, which was followed by the release of the funds in 2017. Payment of interest has already begun, and Dhaka is supposed to pay USD 110 million in two instalments annually. Since Russia faces international sanctions, Bangladesh cannot send money through the country’s EXIM bank. So, Dhaka is depositing the funds in a special account of Bangladesh Bank.
The 10-year grace period of the loan is set to end on 15 March and Bangladesh will have to start paying USD 380 million in two instalments per year plus the interest of USD 110. However, the amount of capital and interest payment may vary slightly from time to time.
A senior official of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission told Prothom Alo that work on the project has been hampered due to Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. That is why both countries have agreed to defer the repayment of capital, and for this, both countries will have to sign a protocol.
As of July, 69 per cent of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project was completed.
However, there has been apparently a shift in priority over foreign loans since the interim government took office. They prefer borrowing from multinational lending agencies including World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), while the previous Awami League government was more interested in taking loans from bilateral sources like China, Russia and India.
This report appeared in the print and online editions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Hasanul Banna.
Jahangir Shah
Dhaka
Published: 23 Sep 2024, 12: 45
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant File photo
Trouble is brewing over the repayment of Russia’s loans for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as Dhaka proposed an extension on repayment of capital, but Moscow is very reluctant on this matter. Rather they want payment of loan interest to be made through Chinese banks, which Dhaka is yet to give a green signal. As a result, the government faces a dilemma.
In the meantime, the interim government moved to review the loan agreements of various big projects including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Thus fear looms large over possible strains in the bilateral relations between Dhaka and Moscow centering the Russian loan, according to sources concerned of the finance ministry’s Economic Relations Division.
Bangladesh started building the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at a cost of about Tk 1.14 trillion in 2016 and the project is set to be finished on 31 December 2025. Now the deadline seems to be delayed by two more years. Moscow is lending USD 12.65 billion for this project.
Selim Raihan, executive director of the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), said, “The matter of loan repayment should be discussed with Russia since there has already been a big investment. So, it is necessary to negotiate logically instead of getting emotional. If Russia can be convinced of our situation the matter will be solved soon.”
Pressures persist on the economy due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. That is why the operation of the Russian contractor firm for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant slowed down. The interim government proposed that Russia defers the repayment of capital for two years, and Russia also agreed primarily. So, the ERD prepared a draft loan agreement with some changes and gave opinions to the offices concerned including project implementing agencies, science and technology ministry, but there has been no progress since then.
On the other hand, Russia made another proposal to Bangladesh in August, asking that the money held in the special account of Bangladesh Bank be sent to Russia through a Chinese bank. Dhaka is yet to respond to the proposal.
To date, an overdue of USD 630 million has been deposited in a special account of Bangladesh Bank. As Russian banks faced sanctions over the Russia-Ukraine war, they wanted to take the interest money through the Chinese bank.
According to ERD sources, the 10-year grace period of Russian loan repayment ends on 15 March 2027, and repayment of capital starts subsequently. Dhaka requested Moscow to fix the deadline for the grace period at 15 March 2019, but no meeting was fixed over the past month.
Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Aleksandr Mantytsky held a meeting with the finance and commerce adviser to the interim government Salehuddin Ahmed on 25 August. ERD sources said issues related to start repayment of instalments of the Russian loans and payment through which currency were discussed at the meeting. Russia wants to take the interest money soon.
USD 390 million per instalment
Bangladesh borrowed USD 12.65 billion from the Russia EXIM Bank for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. A bilateral agreement was signed on this matter in 2016, which was followed by the release of the funds in 2017. Payment of interest has already begun, and Dhaka is supposed to pay USD 110 million in two instalments annually. Since Russia faces international sanctions, Bangladesh cannot send money through the country’s EXIM bank. So, Dhaka is depositing the funds in a special account of Bangladesh Bank.
The 10-year grace period of the loan is set to end on 15 March and Bangladesh will have to start paying USD 380 million in two instalments per year plus the interest of USD 110. However, the amount of capital and interest payment may vary slightly from time to time.
A senior official of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission told Prothom Alo that work on the project has been hampered due to Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. That is why both countries have agreed to defer the repayment of capital, and for this, both countries will have to sign a protocol.
As of July, 69 per cent of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project was completed.
However, there has been apparently a shift in priority over foreign loans since the interim government took office. They prefer borrowing from multinational lending agencies including World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), while the previous Awami League government was more interested in taking loans from bilateral sources like China, Russia and India.
This report appeared in the print and online editions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Hasanul Banna.
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Repayment of Russian loan hits snags
The fallout from economic downturn, coupled with runaway corruption was bound to affect the balance of payments of the country. Today, policymakers are indeed in a fix about how to manage the repayment of principal-plus-interest on loans taken from international sources for various projects. None i
Repayment of Russian loan hits snags
Syed Mansur Hashim
Published :
Sep 27, 2024 22:00
Updated :
Sep 27, 2024 22:00
Share this news
The fallout from economic downturn, coupled with runaway corruption was bound to affect the balance of payments of the country. Today, policymakers are indeed in a fix about how to manage the repayment of principal-plus-interest on loans taken from international sources for various projects. None is more glaring than the one for the country's first nuclear power project viz. Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). The recent turmoil that transformed the political-cum-economic outlook, has put Dhaka on a collision course with Moscow, especially over what to do about the $11 billion plus Russian loan that has made RNPP possible. This remains a G2G (government-to-government) deal and also the largest foreign financed infrastructure project of the country under any administration. There is no contention about the fact that repayment will have to be made.
It is interesting to note that very recently, a study has been published by an expatriate Bangladeshi expert where a comparative analysis has been made about the cost of RNPP and similar projects in India and Belarus. While the nuclear reactors are of the same generation and design, it is not as simple as to make a statement on graft alleged to have taken place. It has to be proven by taking into account all the variables that distinguish RNPP from the Indian and Belarus projects. That said, it is in Bangladesh's interest to complete this project and get it operational at the earliest. The country is in the midst of a major energy crunch. It is also a fact that the LNG (liquefied natural gas) experiment, the cross-border trade in electricity, the power produced and sold by independent power producers all have big questions hanging over them in relation to graft. Hence, it would be a pity to mothball RNPP on the suspicion that there was a multi-billion dollar payoff by one party to another.
Russia has been pressing Bangladesh to make repayment of $650 million on the loan extended to Dhaka. Given today's economic situation, Dhaka has asked for an extension on repayment of capital, a request that has not been welcomed by Moscow. Why not? Why this direct rebuttal? It is not as though Bangladesh is bankrupt and is refusing to repay. It certainly is interesting that Russia is demanding that the payment on loan interest be made through Chinese banks (in Yuan), but the fact is that this is easier said than done. Russia is at liberty to ignore the Western-backed sanctions scheme against it, but can Bangladesh say the same?
The change of the political guard in Dhaka has also shifted its focus on the definition of domestic development. The preceding five-year plan has been put on hold and the economy is no longer infrastructure development-driven. Rather, the focus is on soft loans and grants for human resources development and other interest areas. Regarding the Russian loan (including interest) payment, Bangladesh wants a renegotiation on the terms of payment and this is not unheard of globally. Restructuring of international loans happens all the time.
Insistence on the "terms of payment" ignores the problems associated with the banning of Russia from the SWIFT banking system. Yes, there are alternative means of payment that includes the Chinese-led initiative CIPS, but that has its own problems. Bangladesh isn't a full member of the BRICS and so these problems are not going away anytime soon. There is hardly any point in getting emotional on such cold-hearted matters.
Moscow has to understand the economic reality Bangladesh faces on multiple fronts. The RNPP remains the single most important power infrastructure of the country. Bangladesh requires reliable power that is affordable. Regardless of how Moscow sees the situation, there has to be a renegotiation on the terms of payment and possibly this will involve deferred payment unless an acceptable, alternative legal means to transfer the repayments can be found under international law. There is no other alternative for Bangladesh. It cannot evoke the ire of the West to please the East. On its part, Russia should think about preserving the cordial relations it has with Bangladesh.
Everything must be brought to the negotiating table. All contentious issues have to be hammered out through discussion - not acrimony. It does not help either nation to be at loggerheads over RNPP. The RNPP is a long-term proposition to provide reliable and "cheap" power. These must be worked out by both parties and come to an agreement over the loan (and interest) repayments and also the price of power generated because of the simple fact that massive financial outlays have been made and years spent to build this project. This is simply too big to fail. Russia should get off its high horse and come to the discussion table because Bangladesh believes in "friendship to all, malice to none".
Syed Mansur Hashim
Published :
Sep 27, 2024 22:00
Updated :
Sep 27, 2024 22:00
Share this news
The fallout from economic downturn, coupled with runaway corruption was bound to affect the balance of payments of the country. Today, policymakers are indeed in a fix about how to manage the repayment of principal-plus-interest on loans taken from international sources for various projects. None is more glaring than the one for the country's first nuclear power project viz. Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). The recent turmoil that transformed the political-cum-economic outlook, has put Dhaka on a collision course with Moscow, especially over what to do about the $11 billion plus Russian loan that has made RNPP possible. This remains a G2G (government-to-government) deal and also the largest foreign financed infrastructure project of the country under any administration. There is no contention about the fact that repayment will have to be made.
It is interesting to note that very recently, a study has been published by an expatriate Bangladeshi expert where a comparative analysis has been made about the cost of RNPP and similar projects in India and Belarus. While the nuclear reactors are of the same generation and design, it is not as simple as to make a statement on graft alleged to have taken place. It has to be proven by taking into account all the variables that distinguish RNPP from the Indian and Belarus projects. That said, it is in Bangladesh's interest to complete this project and get it operational at the earliest. The country is in the midst of a major energy crunch. It is also a fact that the LNG (liquefied natural gas) experiment, the cross-border trade in electricity, the power produced and sold by independent power producers all have big questions hanging over them in relation to graft. Hence, it would be a pity to mothball RNPP on the suspicion that there was a multi-billion dollar payoff by one party to another.
Russia has been pressing Bangladesh to make repayment of $650 million on the loan extended to Dhaka. Given today's economic situation, Dhaka has asked for an extension on repayment of capital, a request that has not been welcomed by Moscow. Why not? Why this direct rebuttal? It is not as though Bangladesh is bankrupt and is refusing to repay. It certainly is interesting that Russia is demanding that the payment on loan interest be made through Chinese banks (in Yuan), but the fact is that this is easier said than done. Russia is at liberty to ignore the Western-backed sanctions scheme against it, but can Bangladesh say the same?
The change of the political guard in Dhaka has also shifted its focus on the definition of domestic development. The preceding five-year plan has been put on hold and the economy is no longer infrastructure development-driven. Rather, the focus is on soft loans and grants for human resources development and other interest areas. Regarding the Russian loan (including interest) payment, Bangladesh wants a renegotiation on the terms of payment and this is not unheard of globally. Restructuring of international loans happens all the time.
Insistence on the "terms of payment" ignores the problems associated with the banning of Russia from the SWIFT banking system. Yes, there are alternative means of payment that includes the Chinese-led initiative CIPS, but that has its own problems. Bangladesh isn't a full member of the BRICS and so these problems are not going away anytime soon. There is hardly any point in getting emotional on such cold-hearted matters.
Moscow has to understand the economic reality Bangladesh faces on multiple fronts. The RNPP remains the single most important power infrastructure of the country. Bangladesh requires reliable power that is affordable. Regardless of how Moscow sees the situation, there has to be a renegotiation on the terms of payment and possibly this will involve deferred payment unless an acceptable, alternative legal means to transfer the repayments can be found under international law. There is no other alternative for Bangladesh. It cannot evoke the ire of the West to please the East. On its part, Russia should think about preserving the cordial relations it has with Bangladesh.
Everything must be brought to the negotiating table. All contentious issues have to be hammered out through discussion - not acrimony. It does not help either nation to be at loggerheads over RNPP. The RNPP is a long-term proposition to provide reliable and "cheap" power. These must be worked out by both parties and come to an agreement over the loan (and interest) repayments and also the price of power generated because of the simple fact that massive financial outlays have been made and years spent to build this project. This is simply too big to fail. Russia should get off its high horse and come to the discussion table because Bangladesh believes in "friendship to all, malice to none".
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Rooppur power plant to receive equipment for radiation monitoring soon
23 units of the monitoring systems have already been shipped from Russia
Rooppur power plant to receive equipment for radiation monitoring soon
23 units of the monitoring systems have already been shipped from Russia
Twenty three units of automated radiation monitoring systems (ARMS) shipped from Russia for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are expected to be delivered to the project site shortly, Rosatom, the general designer and contractor of the power plant, said in a statement.
The state atomic energy corporation of Russia said the shipped cargo includes 23 units of ARMS for the plant -- 15 for unit-1 and eight for unit 2.
ARMS is designed to collect, process, record, and display data on the radiation state parameters of the controlled objects.
Nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel cycle enterprises, RAW storage and processing facilities, and scientific and research centers are equipped with these systems, according to the statement.
These were developed specifically for Rooppur plant to meet the specific project requirements, it said, adding that the Specialized Scientific Research Institute for Instrumentation Engineering (SNIIP), a sister concern of Rosatom, has manufactured the equipment.
Moreover, approximately 300 units of individual dosimetry equipment and a batch of filter holders will be shipped by the end of this year, it added.
"We are very happy to have the systems, which are to play a key role in the preparation for the startup," said Alexander Kartsev, CEO of SNIIP.
"The ARMS is going to be delivered as a single package to the Rooppur NPP site. It will be used for the first time for the Rooppur project. The dosimeters and other individual dosimetry mean for the NPP personnel will be shipped to Bangladesh by the end of this year, but the main hardware will be already at hand at the project site by that time," he said.
Earlier, SNIIP shipped the equipment for continuous radiation monitoring of rooms, detection units, and devices for process radiation monitoring to Rooppur NPP.
In addition, the software and hardware complex of a unique individual dosimetric monitoring system is already delivered to the site.
The system collects data from dosimeters used by the NPP personnel during inspections and other activities.
23 units of the monitoring systems have already been shipped from Russia
Twenty three units of automated radiation monitoring systems (ARMS) shipped from Russia for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are expected to be delivered to the project site shortly, Rosatom, the general designer and contractor of the power plant, said in a statement.
The state atomic energy corporation of Russia said the shipped cargo includes 23 units of ARMS for the plant -- 15 for unit-1 and eight for unit 2.
ARMS is designed to collect, process, record, and display data on the radiation state parameters of the controlled objects.
Nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel cycle enterprises, RAW storage and processing facilities, and scientific and research centers are equipped with these systems, according to the statement.
These were developed specifically for Rooppur plant to meet the specific project requirements, it said, adding that the Specialized Scientific Research Institute for Instrumentation Engineering (SNIIP), a sister concern of Rosatom, has manufactured the equipment.
Moreover, approximately 300 units of individual dosimetry equipment and a batch of filter holders will be shipped by the end of this year, it added.
"We are very happy to have the systems, which are to play a key role in the preparation for the startup," said Alexander Kartsev, CEO of SNIIP.
"The ARMS is going to be delivered as a single package to the Rooppur NPP site. It will be used for the first time for the Rooppur project. The dosimeters and other individual dosimetry mean for the NPP personnel will be shipped to Bangladesh by the end of this year, but the main hardware will be already at hand at the project site by that time," he said.
Earlier, SNIIP shipped the equipment for continuous radiation monitoring of rooms, detection units, and devices for process radiation monitoring to Rooppur NPP.
In addition, the software and hardware complex of a unique individual dosimetric monitoring system is already delivered to the site.
The system collects data from dosimeters used by the NPP personnel during inspections and other activities.
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Dhaka-Moscow meet misses consensus on back pay
Dhaka and Moscow failed to settle score on sanctions-impeded loan repayment and extension of the aid-disbursement tenure for the undisbursed credits from a US$11.38-billion commitment in a two-day meeting in Dhaka, officials said Wednesday. A Russian delegation sat with Economic Relations Di
Sanctions-impeded debt service on RNPP
Dhaka-Moscow meet misses consensus on back pay
Funds for accrued interest payments accumulating in BB escrow account
FHM Humayan Kabir
Published :
Oct 03, 2024 00:54
Updated :
Oct 03, 2024 00:54
Dhaka and Moscow failed to settle score on sanctions-impeded loan repayment and extension of the aid-disbursement tenure for the undisbursed credits from a US$11.38-billion commitment in a two-day meeting in Dhaka, officials said Wednesday.
A Russian delegation sat with Economic Relations Division (ERD) for a two-day discussion, Tuesday-Wednesday, in Dhaka for resolving overdue issues, including the debt servicing against the loan for Rooppur nuclear power-plant project as it has halted for more than last two years, they said.
At the meeting, presided over by ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiki, a host delegation discussed with a visiting 15-member Russian team over the two days. The Russian team was headed by Mamonov, Director, the Ministry of Finance in Russia.
Following an around two-year lapse, Bangladesh had failed to serve some US$630 million worth of debt against its outstanding loans from Moscow till the first half of this calendar year.
Bangladesh has failed to repay the Russian loan for more than two years as the USA imposed sanctions on Moscow in the international payment systems (SWIFT) after the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia confirmed an $11.38- billion loan in July 2017 for the Rooppur nuclear power project or RNPP. Dhaka started repaying the interest on the disbursed amount of the loans annually.
Meanwhile, Moscow released a total of $7.77 billion worth of the credit, including $1.295 billion till last FY2024, to Bangladesh for implementing the power project, ERD data showed.
"The issues are yet to be settled in the last two days' meetings. We will be continuing our discussions. We may sit shortly again," said a highly placed source in the government.
Earlier, Moscow put pressure for repaying the halted debt as the Russian contractor has been working to set up the 2400MW- capacity nuclear power plant in Bangladesh's Rooppur in Pabna.
Sources said VEB.RF Bank, a representative agency of the Russian government, in August sent in a letter to Bangladesh government requesting $630- million halted debt servicing on the outstanding amount by September this year.
The letter says that the repayment should be made in USD or Chinese yuan at the Bank of China's Shanghai branch. But, this bank is also on the US sanctions list, making it impossible for Bangladesh to make the payment even if it wanted to, sources said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh government is keeping aside the funds to be required for the debt servicing in an escrow account in the central bank.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has sought extension of the loan-disbursement period for two more years up to December 2026 as the power plant- building works have been delayed.
"We have told Moscow that we are ready to repay the loan as we had kept aside the fund in a separate escrow account. Only the US sanctions on the payment gateway has created obstacles," said another senior government official.
He said, "Since the entire aid- disbursement period is going to be over in December this year, we need extension for two more years for completing the project works as well as the necessary funds."
So far, nearly 70 per cent of the Rooppur power-plant project is completed, officials said.
Russia has so far disbursed some $7.77 billion worth of loan out of its $11.38 billion commitment. The remaining $3.61 billion will be released based on the project progress and Bangladesh's demand.
Earlier, Bangladesh government borrowed two loans for installing the power plant. One was a technical assistance worth $491 million under an agreement in November 2013 and another one is the gigantic $11.38 billion in July 2016.
According to the deals, the repayment against the first $491-million loan was supposed to be completed in FY2023 as its maturity was 10 years and rate of interest was LIBOR plus 1.0 to 3.0 per cent.
For the $11.38- billion loan, Bangladesh will repay it at LIBOR plus 1.75-percent annual rate and the total interest will not cross 4.0 per cent.
The loan will have to be repaid in 30 years with a 10-year grace period. As the grace period has yet to start, the payment of the principal of the loan has not started yet.
Out of the $591 million stuck-up amount for repayment to Russia, $495 million is on account of interest while the reaming $96 million is the principal amount of the untilised loans to Bangladesh, ERD officials said.
The principal amount of $96 million is kept aside for the $491 -million loans under the first TA project while the $495 million is earmarked for serving as interest of for both the TA and investment loans for the Rooppur power-plant project.
Dhaka-Moscow meet misses consensus on back pay
Funds for accrued interest payments accumulating in BB escrow account
FHM Humayan Kabir
Published :
Oct 03, 2024 00:54
Updated :
Oct 03, 2024 00:54
Dhaka and Moscow failed to settle score on sanctions-impeded loan repayment and extension of the aid-disbursement tenure for the undisbursed credits from a US$11.38-billion commitment in a two-day meeting in Dhaka, officials said Wednesday.
A Russian delegation sat with Economic Relations Division (ERD) for a two-day discussion, Tuesday-Wednesday, in Dhaka for resolving overdue issues, including the debt servicing against the loan for Rooppur nuclear power-plant project as it has halted for more than last two years, they said.
At the meeting, presided over by ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiki, a host delegation discussed with a visiting 15-member Russian team over the two days. The Russian team was headed by Mamonov, Director, the Ministry of Finance in Russia.
Following an around two-year lapse, Bangladesh had failed to serve some US$630 million worth of debt against its outstanding loans from Moscow till the first half of this calendar year.
Bangladesh has failed to repay the Russian loan for more than two years as the USA imposed sanctions on Moscow in the international payment systems (SWIFT) after the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia confirmed an $11.38- billion loan in July 2017 for the Rooppur nuclear power project or RNPP. Dhaka started repaying the interest on the disbursed amount of the loans annually.
Meanwhile, Moscow released a total of $7.77 billion worth of the credit, including $1.295 billion till last FY2024, to Bangladesh for implementing the power project, ERD data showed.
"The issues are yet to be settled in the last two days' meetings. We will be continuing our discussions. We may sit shortly again," said a highly placed source in the government.
Earlier, Moscow put pressure for repaying the halted debt as the Russian contractor has been working to set up the 2400MW- capacity nuclear power plant in Bangladesh's Rooppur in Pabna.
Sources said VEB.RF Bank, a representative agency of the Russian government, in August sent in a letter to Bangladesh government requesting $630- million halted debt servicing on the outstanding amount by September this year.
The letter says that the repayment should be made in USD or Chinese yuan at the Bank of China's Shanghai branch. But, this bank is also on the US sanctions list, making it impossible for Bangladesh to make the payment even if it wanted to, sources said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh government is keeping aside the funds to be required for the debt servicing in an escrow account in the central bank.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has sought extension of the loan-disbursement period for two more years up to December 2026 as the power plant- building works have been delayed.
"We have told Moscow that we are ready to repay the loan as we had kept aside the fund in a separate escrow account. Only the US sanctions on the payment gateway has created obstacles," said another senior government official.
He said, "Since the entire aid- disbursement period is going to be over in December this year, we need extension for two more years for completing the project works as well as the necessary funds."
So far, nearly 70 per cent of the Rooppur power-plant project is completed, officials said.
Russia has so far disbursed some $7.77 billion worth of loan out of its $11.38 billion commitment. The remaining $3.61 billion will be released based on the project progress and Bangladesh's demand.
Earlier, Bangladesh government borrowed two loans for installing the power plant. One was a technical assistance worth $491 million under an agreement in November 2013 and another one is the gigantic $11.38 billion in July 2016.
According to the deals, the repayment against the first $491-million loan was supposed to be completed in FY2023 as its maturity was 10 years and rate of interest was LIBOR plus 1.0 to 3.0 per cent.
For the $11.38- billion loan, Bangladesh will repay it at LIBOR plus 1.75-percent annual rate and the total interest will not cross 4.0 per cent.
The loan will have to be repaid in 30 years with a 10-year grace period. As the grace period has yet to start, the payment of the principal of the loan has not started yet.
Out of the $591 million stuck-up amount for repayment to Russia, $495 million is on account of interest while the reaming $96 million is the principal amount of the untilised loans to Bangladesh, ERD officials said.
The principal amount of $96 million is kept aside for the $491 -million loans under the first TA project while the $495 million is earmarked for serving as interest of for both the TA and investment loans for the Rooppur power-plant project.
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$800m repayment to Russia in limbo
About $809 million has piled up in a Bangladesh Bank escrow account to repay loans and interest for the Russia-funded Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
$800m repayment to Russia in limbo
Photo: collected
About $809 million has piled up in a Bangladesh Bank escrow account to repay loans and interest for the Russia-funded Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Escrow is an arrangement for a third party to hold the assets of a transaction temporarily. The assets are kept in a third-party account and are only released when all terms of the agreement have been met.
The central bank was left with little choice but to deposit funds into the special account (escrow) after sanctions were levied on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Among these sanctions, at least 10 Russian banks were barred from using the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) system, which provides the main messaging network through which international payments are initiated.
As of Thursday, over three-quarters of a billion dollars had been deposited in the account. It will be paid in the future, The Daily Star learned from officials of the central bank who are directly involved with the matter.
Bangladesh agreed to borrow around $13 billion from Russia for the construction of the nuclear plant in Rooppur in 2016.
It is scheduled to pay interest as well as a ten percent advance payment, but transactions have stagnated for over a year because of the sanctions.
The repayment of the principal amount will commence from March 15, 2027. However, the interim government recently proposed extending it to March 15, 2029.
Seeking anonymity, a senior central bank official told The Daily Star that government stakeholders, including from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the Bangladesh Bank, are continuing to arrange meetings to discuss how payments can be made to Russia.r
ad more on"bWe are trying to find out how to settle the issue. The central bank is also keeping an eye out for alternative channels.
"Over the past year, we have tried to find a risk- and hassle-free process to make payments. But the issue is yet to be finalised."
The official added that they would feel comfortable if the tenure for repayment of the principal amount was extended.
Around eight to nine instalments were already paid before sanctions on Russia were imposed, he added.
The EXIM Bank of Russia began to disburse loans for the project in 2017.
The interim government, which took office following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5 this year, has taken initiatives to review loan agreements for mega projects made by the previous regime, including the nuclear facility in Rooppur.
ERD officials told The Daily Star that Russia proposed to send payments through a bank in China, but it had not yet been evaluated.
In another development, the government decided to make partial advance payments for the project in the local currency instead of US dollars after Atomstroyexport, the Russian contractor for the project, agreed to receive payments in Bangladeshi currency Taka.
The advance payments will be made through the state-run Sonali Bank.
Industry insiders said that about 69 percent of the project has already been implemented.
Construction work is scheduled to be completed on December 31 next year.
Photo: collected
About $809 million has piled up in a Bangladesh Bank escrow account to repay loans and interest for the Russia-funded Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Escrow is an arrangement for a third party to hold the assets of a transaction temporarily. The assets are kept in a third-party account and are only released when all terms of the agreement have been met.
The central bank was left with little choice but to deposit funds into the special account (escrow) after sanctions were levied on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Among these sanctions, at least 10 Russian banks were barred from using the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) system, which provides the main messaging network through which international payments are initiated.
As of Thursday, over three-quarters of a billion dollars had been deposited in the account. It will be paid in the future, The Daily Star learned from officials of the central bank who are directly involved with the matter.
Bangladesh agreed to borrow around $13 billion from Russia for the construction of the nuclear plant in Rooppur in 2016.
It is scheduled to pay interest as well as a ten percent advance payment, but transactions have stagnated for over a year because of the sanctions.
The repayment of the principal amount will commence from March 15, 2027. However, the interim government recently proposed extending it to March 15, 2029.
Seeking anonymity, a senior central bank official told The Daily Star that government stakeholders, including from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the Bangladesh Bank, are continuing to arrange meetings to discuss how payments can be made to Russia.r
ad more on"bWe are trying to find out how to settle the issue. The central bank is also keeping an eye out for alternative channels.
"Over the past year, we have tried to find a risk- and hassle-free process to make payments. But the issue is yet to be finalised."
The official added that they would feel comfortable if the tenure for repayment of the principal amount was extended.
Around eight to nine instalments were already paid before sanctions on Russia were imposed, he added.
The EXIM Bank of Russia began to disburse loans for the project in 2017.
The interim government, which took office following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5 this year, has taken initiatives to review loan agreements for mega projects made by the previous regime, including the nuclear facility in Rooppur.
ERD officials told The Daily Star that Russia proposed to send payments through a bank in China, but it had not yet been evaluated.
In another development, the government decided to make partial advance payments for the project in the local currency instead of US dollars after Atomstroyexport, the Russian contractor for the project, agreed to receive payments in Bangladeshi currency Taka.
The advance payments will be made through the state-run Sonali Bank.
Industry insiders said that about 69 percent of the project has already been implemented.
Construction work is scheduled to be completed on December 31 next year.
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Rooppur NPP: Bangladeshi engineers receive training in Russia on nuclear fuel handling
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant engineers have completed training at a Rosatom research institute in Troitsk, Russia. Organised by Rosatom Fuel Division, top experts in Theoretical Physics, Computational Mathematics, and Advanced Engineering, conducted the 3-week training course on handling VVER react
Rooppur NPP: Bangladeshi engineers receive training in Russia on nuclear fuel handling
Published :
Oct 08, 2024 21:26
Updated :
Oct 08, 2024 22:46
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant engineers have completed training at a Rosatom research institute in Troitsk, Russia.
Organised by Rosatom Fuel Division, top experts in Theoretical Physics, Computational Mathematics, and Advanced Engineering, conducted the 3-week training course on handling VVER reactor nuclear fuel, utilising advanced computer analysis tools, UNB reported citing a press release.
In particular, Bangladeshi engineers studied the Reactor Fuel–Coolant Activity (RTOP-CA) code, which allows for determining the loss of integrity of fuel rods and the release of fission products into the primary circuit of the VVER reactor.
The knowledge and skills acquired will help the experts understand nuclear fuel behaviour under abnormal conditions.
"An important aspect of any international NPP project is personnel training. One of the advanced training areas is using computer simulation tools,” noted Kirill Ilyin, DG, Rosatom Research Institute in Troitsk.
The training programme provides a comprehensive study in this area. It includes lectures, reading the technical documents, and practical tasks to control the fuel rod integrity, he added.
"The training sessions are a great opportunity to boost our competencies. The lectures, assignments, and tutorials were concise, easy to understand, and directly related to our jobs,” said Mohammad Shorif Uddin, head of the Fuel Rod Jacket Spectrometry and Monitoring, Rooppur NPP.
“I want to express gratitude to the institute’s team. They put a lot of effort into making our training as effective and memorable as possible."
After the training, the Bangladeshi experts passed their final exams and received RTOP-CA user certificates.
The RTOP-CA code has been developed for in-process monitoring of fuel rod jackets. The code predicts the activity of fission products in the primary circuit coolant of VVER reactors and the behaviour of fuel rods in case of loss of integrity.
Rosatom provides regular training for the Rooppur NPP operating personnel. About 1,500 Bangladeshi engineers will participate in training sessions and internships at Rosatom facilities. About 800 personnel have already received training at the Rosatom Technical Academy.
Published :
Oct 08, 2024 21:26
Updated :
Oct 08, 2024 22:46
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant engineers have completed training at a Rosatom research institute in Troitsk, Russia.
Organised by Rosatom Fuel Division, top experts in Theoretical Physics, Computational Mathematics, and Advanced Engineering, conducted the 3-week training course on handling VVER reactor nuclear fuel, utilising advanced computer analysis tools, UNB reported citing a press release.
In particular, Bangladeshi engineers studied the Reactor Fuel–Coolant Activity (RTOP-CA) code, which allows for determining the loss of integrity of fuel rods and the release of fission products into the primary circuit of the VVER reactor.
The knowledge and skills acquired will help the experts understand nuclear fuel behaviour under abnormal conditions.
"An important aspect of any international NPP project is personnel training. One of the advanced training areas is using computer simulation tools,” noted Kirill Ilyin, DG, Rosatom Research Institute in Troitsk.
The training programme provides a comprehensive study in this area. It includes lectures, reading the technical documents, and practical tasks to control the fuel rod integrity, he added.
"The training sessions are a great opportunity to boost our competencies. The lectures, assignments, and tutorials were concise, easy to understand, and directly related to our jobs,” said Mohammad Shorif Uddin, head of the Fuel Rod Jacket Spectrometry and Monitoring, Rooppur NPP.
“I want to express gratitude to the institute’s team. They put a lot of effort into making our training as effective and memorable as possible."
After the training, the Bangladeshi experts passed their final exams and received RTOP-CA user certificates.
The RTOP-CA code has been developed for in-process monitoring of fuel rod jackets. The code predicts the activity of fission products in the primary circuit coolant of VVER reactors and the behaviour of fuel rods in case of loss of integrity.
Rosatom provides regular training for the Rooppur NPP operating personnel. About 1,500 Bangladeshi engineers will participate in training sessions and internships at Rosatom facilities. About 800 personnel have already received training at the Rosatom Technical Academy.
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Reactor assembly at power unit-1 of Rooppur NPP completed
The reactor assembly process at power unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been completed, Russian Rosatom said in a statement Wednesday The process involved installing reactor internals, loading fuel assembly simulators, installing protective pipes, an upper unit, and smart automated and
Reactor assembly at power unit-1 of Rooppur NPP completed
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Oct 23, 2024 19:25
Updated :
Oct 23, 2024 19:25
Share this news
The reactor assembly process at power unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been completed, Russian Rosatom said in a statement Wednesday
The process involved installing reactor internals, loading fuel assembly simulators, installing protective pipes, an upper unit, and smart automated and monitoring systems (SAMS) sensors, etc.
The next step will be hydraulic testing to check the operability of the reactor plant equipment, the statement noted.
Specialists from Atomstroyexport, Atomtekhenergo, and Rosenergoatom carried out the assembly work.
"Completion of the reactor assembly and getting prepared for key tests is an important stage to ensure the efficient operation of the future power unit. We are responsible for the safe, uninterrupted, and reliable operations. We carefully monitor each stage of the work, using advanced methods and technologies that have been tested many times at our construction sites" Alexey Deriy, Atomstroyexport Vice President for Projects in Bangladesh was quoted as saying in the statement.
Rooppur NPP is being implemented with technical and financial assistance from Russia.
It will host two power units with a total capacity of 2,400 MW. Russian VVER-1200 reactors have been chosen for the project.
This is an evolutionary Generation III+ design reactor that fully complies with all the international safety requirements.
Rosatom Engineering Division is the project's general designer and general contractor.
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Oct 23, 2024 19:25
Updated :
Oct 23, 2024 19:25
Share this news
The reactor assembly process at power unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been completed, Russian Rosatom said in a statement Wednesday
The process involved installing reactor internals, loading fuel assembly simulators, installing protective pipes, an upper unit, and smart automated and monitoring systems (SAMS) sensors, etc.
The next step will be hydraulic testing to check the operability of the reactor plant equipment, the statement noted.
Specialists from Atomstroyexport, Atomtekhenergo, and Rosenergoatom carried out the assembly work.
"Completion of the reactor assembly and getting prepared for key tests is an important stage to ensure the efficient operation of the future power unit. We are responsible for the safe, uninterrupted, and reliable operations. We carefully monitor each stage of the work, using advanced methods and technologies that have been tested many times at our construction sites" Alexey Deriy, Atomstroyexport Vice President for Projects in Bangladesh was quoted as saying in the statement.
Rooppur NPP is being implemented with technical and financial assistance from Russia.
It will host two power units with a total capacity of 2,400 MW. Russian VVER-1200 reactors have been chosen for the project.
This is an evolutionary Generation III+ design reactor that fully complies with all the international safety requirements.
Rosatom Engineering Division is the project's general designer and general contractor.
- Sep 28, 2024
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Weapons is a whole other game. You lot will never be allowed, India and Pak were the last, and we just muscled our way into the club, full jaahil style, rogues proper
BD won't have a chance in hell to make warheads.
@Lulldapull @Dogun18
BD won't have a chance in hell to make warheads.
@Lulldapull @Dogun18
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Bangladesh "military nuclear program"
My smelly pajeit asz
My smelly pajeit asz
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Not happening for you lot, impossible.
India and Pakistan were the last to get on that boat.
You'd be a proper nuke power if we didn't sever your asz back in 71.
Doesn't it suck to be you ?
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In 1971 we saved our ass as well as yours. Without our help you would not be able to get out of East Pakistan alive. Period. As for nukes, only time will tell whether Bangladesh will get the nuke or not.Not happening for you lot, impossible.
India and Pakistan were the last to get on that boat.
You'd be a proper nuke power if we didn't sever your asz back in 71.
Doesn't it suck to be you ?
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- Jan 24, 2024
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Not happening for you lot, impossible.
India and Pakistan were the last to get on that boat.
You'd be a proper nuke power if we didn't sever your asz back in 71.
Doesn't it suck to be you ?
Jokes aside - who does it suck to be? Let's look at facts. Money talks - BS walks.
Nukes will arrive when it does. Only victors write their own histories.
Indians are now fighting the Canadians who gave Nuke tech to India in the mid-fifties.
Yet India's per capita GDP (and quality of life) remains one-fifth of most of the Asian tigers - who don't have nukes.
What should countries focus on and prioritize?
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- Sep 28, 2024
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That's all well and good but I was reacting to the hubris of the very idea of a "Bangladesh Military Nuclear Program"
Not just Bangladesh, NO other country is going to go for the bomb now, or they're looking at sanctions hell, please be realistic. There is also no real NEED to do so now, you guys are under zero nuclear threat from either India or China or anyone else.
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When did we hire you to assess the need for nukes for Bangladesh?
- Sep 28, 2024
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You're not getting your hands on them, ever.When did we hire you to assess the need for nukes for Bangladesh?
Take that to the bank.
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You don't decide which nation to get the bomb. Piss off.
- Sep 28, 2024
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Tell us honestly, do you think BD will ever be allowed into the nuke weapon club ?
Do BD have the wherewithal to go against the powers that be, those who actually get a say in the matter, and make and test one.
Do BD even have a need ? India got it because of the Chinese threat, and a threat they are, just as Pak followed in quick order because we did.. a domino effect threat calculus thing.
BD should have got in right then when Ind Pak did, that ship has sailed, bro.. you're not going to get the bomb, be happy with energy.
Iran is a threshold state, some speculate they already may have the bomb. They're also an oil behemoth and a big regional and global power/player. You ?
Ain't never happening, let go your silly bomb delusion already ffs
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A thread renaming might be in order.. small edit, just remove the word "military" from the topic and we can continue discussing.
@Lulldapull @Vsdoc .. zentlemen, thoughts, ?
@Lulldapull @Vsdoc .. zentlemen, thoughts, ?
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- Jan 24, 2024
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Guys let's not get personal.
For one thing a lot of Indians (not just Hindutvas but Congress people too) never thought we'd better them at anything except level of poverty, malnutrition etc. much less GDP per capita, life expectancy, literacy, maternal health or the most damning of all, open defecation.
Yet here we are - so much for 'common perceptions'.....
Borderline trolling happening here - or should I say troll baiting. Please keep it civil - before I start cutting comments.
It's only fun, before epithets start flying.
@Sharma Ji - I suggest you study Bangladesh military history a bit more, before passing cavalier comments on what Bangladesh needs or does not need.
Bangladesh is not Nepal or Sri Lanka, the scale is a bit different.
For one thing a lot of Indians (not just Hindutvas but Congress people too) never thought we'd better them at anything except level of poverty, malnutrition etc. much less GDP per capita, life expectancy, literacy, maternal health or the most damning of all, open defecation.
Yet here we are - so much for 'common perceptions'.....
Borderline trolling happening here - or should I say troll baiting. Please keep it civil - before I start cutting comments.
It's only fun, before epithets start flying.
@Sharma Ji - I suggest you study Bangladesh military history a bit more, before passing cavalier comments on what Bangladesh needs or does not need.
Bangladesh is not Nepal or Sri Lanka, the scale is a bit different.
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@Saif @Bilal9 @Sharma Ji @Vsdoc @Lulldapull
Is the issue with Bangladesh and India as bad as Pakistan and India, or am I missing something here?
Is the issue with Bangladesh and India as bad as Pakistan and India, or am I missing something here?
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- #48
All we need is Chinese nod of approval. Being an Indian neighbor with whom we have no friendly relation, Chinese help in building nuke is certain.
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You lot are also signatories to a bunch of binding agreements / treaties on the matter.
Anyway, I'd be interested in getting your thoughts on a military nuclear program ?
I don't believe I have been. Some of your fellow BDesis are but.
Anyway, I'd be interested in getting your thoughts on a military nuclear program ?
Oh no, nowhere close to, but things have soured lately after PM Hasina's ousting. She was widely perceived to be an "Indian agent" and unpopular.. it's more complicated than that, I'll leave it to the BD guys here to parse further and flesh it out for you.
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Yeah nowadays it is at a pretty low ebb - especially after India-leaning Hasina was ousted from Bangladesh...
I'd say even worse than Pakistan, if you see Indian media (mostly govt. and Modi-leaning) spewing daily vitriol against Bangladesh (fact).
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