From Rooppur (Pabna): The Smart Bangladesh project has reached its final stages, considering the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as the main foundation. On Thursday, October 5th, the uranium fuel for the reactor is expected to be delivered.
The first batch of nuclear fuel for the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant arrived in Bangladesh from Russia on September 28th. A formal ceremony for the transfer of uranium is scheduled for Thursday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin will virtually attend this event.
Alexey Likhachev, the Director-General of ROSATOM, will oversee uranium transfer. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General will also participate virtually in this event.
To know more about this, Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman told Banglanews all preparations had been completed. The transfer of uranium is expected to produce substantial heat, turning water into steam to drive turbines and generate electricity. Unlike coal, gas, or oil, the use of uranium for nuclear power generation has no significant environmental impact.
However, nuclear power plants pose potential risks of major accidents. Therefore, the Rooppur project has integrated state-of-the-art and automatic technologies to ensure all safety measures. In this project, a VVER-1200 model reactor from the Russian company ROSATOM has been installed. Additional “Core Catcher” security components have also been set up for enhanced safety.
Moreover, continuous monitoring systems are in place to control reactivity. All international nuclear safety guidelines have been followed closely.
In nuclear power generation using uranium, a significant amount of heat is produced. This heat energy converts water into steam, which drives turbines and generates electricity. Unlike coal, gas, or oil, there is no significant environmental impact when uranium is used for nuclear power generation.
However, nuclear power plants come with significant safety concerns. The Rooppur project has integrated modern and automatic technologies to ensure all types of safety.
According to sources, the amount of electricity generated by 4 grams of uranium would require 400 kg of coal, 350 liters of oil, or 360 cubic meters of gas. Uranium is more energy-efficient compared to coal, gas, or oil in electricity production.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, constructed on a 1,200-acre site in Pabna’s Rooppur Union, is the largest project in independent Bangladesh. The project costs over 1 lakh 13 thousand crore taka. Two units have been set up in this project, and both units have been equipped with the latest 3+ Generation VVER-1200 reactors. In these two units, 2400 megawatts of electricity will be generated.
This project is set to commence operation in September next year. The work on the transmission line for connecting the electricity to the national grid is underway. As per project officials, electricity production will begin once the transmission line work is completed.
Furthermore, this project could extend its electricity generation for 20 years after 60 years of initial electricity production. It may be extended for an additional 20 years, totaling 100 years of operation.
The Rooppur project is being carried out by the Russian state nuclear energy corporation ROSATOM’s subsidiary, JSC Atomstroyexport, at the Novovoronezh Chemical Concentrates Plant (NOCCP) in Siberia, Russia. From there, special flights transport the uranium to Dhaka. Afterward, it is transported to the Rooppur project site in Ishwardi, Pabna.
International guidelines for the import, transport, storage, and peaceful use of uranium are followed closely. It’s important to note that all safety measures and preparations have been made to ensure the safe operation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced the Smart Bangladesh initiative, and the government is implementing the project based on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as the main foundation. This project will be the cornerstone of Smart Bangladesh.
