Hasina gives go-ahead to nuclear power plant

Bangladesh yesterday entered the world of peaceful uses of nuclear energy as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the main construction work on the much-awaited Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the first-ever nuclear plant of the country at Ishwardi in Pabna district.She formally launched the main construction work on the plant by pouring concrete at the plant site at Rooppur in Iswardi, north off Pabna district headquarters.Sheikh Hasina said: “This is a joyful day for us. Bangladesh enters the nuclear world with the beginning of the construction work of the main structure. It’s a pride and joy for us as a nation.”Taking a swipe over those who are critical about the nuclear power plant project, she said: “Many have raised various types of questions over the construction of this project. But, I think those who raise question lack self-confidence.”“There’s a quarter that raises questions in TV channels on various issues as some 23 satellite channels are in operation out of 44 channels. They shouldn’t have thought that our patriotism is lesser than theirs.”She said her government took initiatives to meet the high demand of electricity of people after taking office in 2009.“We undertook short-, mid- and long-term plans to meet the demand. Now the total electricity production capacity rose to nearly 16,000 megawatt. About 83% people have come under electricity coverage. We would get 1200 megawatts of electricity from Rooppur Power Plant by 2023 and another 1200 by the following year totalling a 2400 megawatt by 2024. Nearly 10% of the total production will come from nuclear energy source by that time,” she said.Hasina said her government has given top priority to the issue of nuclear safety and radiological protections while implementing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.“We’re strictly following IAEA safety standard and other relevant guidance as well as international good practices.”The country has signed all the major international treaties, agreements and protocols related to the nuclear non-proliferation, she added.Hasina said the Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority has been continuously supervising and monitoring the safety aspects at every step of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction as per Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Act-2012 and IAEA guidelines.She said the design of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been developed in such a way that it will not fall foul of any accident, natural or manmade.Hasina said one of the main concerns of any nuclear power plant is its waste management. “Russia will take back the waste and we’ve struck a deal in this regard with Russia,” she said. The Rooppur plant is expected to add 2,400MW of electricity to the national grid by 2024, helping the country meet the increasing demand for electricity.