Bangladesh signs up for Russian nuke tech

[A.V.]

Published: 26 October, 2011, 18:10
Russia and Bangladesh may agree to jointly develop Bangladesh´s first nuclear power plant

Russia and Bangladesh may agree to jointly develop Bangladesh´s first nuclear power plant

TAGS: Manufacturing, Natural resources, Russia and the global economy, Infrastructure, Construction, Big deal

Russia and Bangladesh could sign an intergovernmental agreement on Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant (NPP) by the end of the year.

*Bangladesh will fund all research work at the $1.5 billion site, with construction expected to be completed by 2018, according to Alexander Glukhov, Atomstroyexport president, the Russian foreign NPP construction agency, who was speaking to reporters during the ATOMEX Europe" nuclear industry forum.

"The option to build one or two nuclear units" also remains open, according to Glokhov.

The preliminary agreement on the Rooppur NPP, signed by Rosatom, and the Bangladeshi government in February, provides for design, construction and commissioning of two power blocks with light water (VVER) reactors with an average capacity of 2.000 megawatts, as well as relevant infrastructure.

During a meeting with the Bangladeshi PM in 2010, PM Vladimir Putin proposed expanding partnership with Russia. "We have provided preferential tariffs for some of your traditional products, but much can be done in specific areas: power generation, agriculture, trade, mineral fertilizers, and military-technical cooperation. And we're already working on it", – Putin said.

Russia and Bangladesh also plan to jointly develop a legal base in the area of nuclear energy and personnel training.

Peter Chankin, analyst at Unicredit Securities, says the desire to have a nuclear plant comes from the need to increase country's geopolitical standing

"Bangladesh is not the first country to choose NPP as energy source along with further possibility of nuclear waste refinery for nuclear weapon utilization,". Nevertheless another factor contributing to importance of NPP construction is "high costs of energy resources and raw materials such as coal, crude oil etc., given that Bangladesh has a lack of resources" says Chankin

Chankin adds that Russia is in the right position to be involved in the project which is likely to provide new market opportunities and strengthen economic and political ties.
"Russian nuclear power engineering is considered to be one of the most progressive in the world in the field of nuclear reactor design, nuclear fuel fabrication, NPP's operations, and qualified personnel training, above all Russia occupies around 20% of nuclear fuel export."

Bangladesh is currently building the legislative, regulatory and technological infrastructure necessary for developing its own nuclear energy. Rooppur was chosen as the site for an NPP in the 1970s.

Bangladesh signs up for Russian nuke tech made to fit — RT

 

[Ray]

Bangladesh is a power deficit country with high ambitions and yet like all fledging states is a turmoil stricken country with no stability in politics or military's ambition.

While the peaceful use of nuclear power is a step in the right direction, yet one has to take care that it does not go the Pakistani way where one does not have any control over the politics or the manner in which the nuclear power will be used.

Strict international control is but a must.

This is more so essential since there is a rise in Islamic fundamentalism, spurred by Saudi money and Saudi Wahaabism.

The rationale of having nuclear power for 'geopolitical standing' does not auger well since that is hardly a reason to have nuclear power, unless of course, it is to have nuclear weapons.

And nuclear weapons against whom?

 

[Yusuf]

BD should use its oil and gas to power it's energy needs than go nuclear right now. It is expensive and will be a burden on its economy. With I would be concerned about it from the point of safety as well with BD having no experience in handling nuke plants, it's proximity to India means in the case of any untoward incident, India will be in line to be affected by any fallout.

The Islamists are not of concern as the nuclear power plant itself does not mean bomb as it requires far more advanced tech and resources that BD lacks.

 

[pmaitra]

Now we have had protests against the proposed Nuclear Power Plant in West Bengal for fear of radiation. If the Bangladeshi Nuclear Power Plant comes up in Rooppur (Ruppur), it will be very close to Indo-Bangla border and very near Behrampore. What will these protesters do then?

References:
The Hindu : News / National : Cabinet resolution sought to shut down nuclear plantProtests over nuclear land in West Bengal | Down To Earth

 

[pmaitra]

BD should use its oil and gas to power it's energy needs than go nuclear right now. It is expensive and will be a burden on its economy. With I would be concerned about it from the point of safety as well with BD having no experience in handling nuke plants, it's proximity to India means in the case of any untoward incident, India will be in line to be affected by any fallout.

It's business. They can always sell that electricity to India. India is power hungry and there are protests going on with out own proposed Nuclear Plants.

 

[ejazr]

Well as time goes by, the technology becomes more and more widely available. Its only a matter of time before most emerging countries have the ability to become nuclear capable. I am sure by 2020, you will see a major growth in the number of countries that will be using nuclear energy for civil use. India should partner with the Russians or French to get into that supply chain and offer tech to south Asian countries or even outside as this will make sure that (1) Friendly relations are maintained and (2) An oversight over the civil nuclear installations can be maintained.