Dhaka, Moscow sign deal for installing N-power plant
Posted: 14/05/2009 - 11:20
• Bangladesh and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here yesterday as an umbrella accord aimed at
enhancing cooperation between the two countries in peaceful use of nuclear energy, by way of installing a nuclear plant in the first place.
The immediate purpose of the deal signed between the state-owned Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation-Rosatom-is to take necessary steps for building a 600-1000-megawatt power plant in Bangladesh.
"This is a great moment for us. Through the signing of this agreement, we are moving forward to implement our election commitment to build up a nuclear power project in Rooppur," said State Minister for Science and ICT Architect Yeafesh Osman.
NN Spasskiy, Deputy Director General of Rosatom, who signed the agreement on Russian part, said, "This agreement will enable us to provide avenue for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy. But one thing is in our mind to design and build Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant."
Spasskiy is leading a 5-member Russian delegation, who arrived Tuesday.
BAEC acting chairman Mosharraf Hossain signed the MoU on behalf of his organisation while Science and ICT Secretary Nazmul Huda Khan was present at the function in the conference room of the ICT Ministry. Russian ambassador GP Trotsenko was also present on the occasion.
At the function, late nuclear scientist and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's husband Dr Wazed Mia was remembered with great respects as the state minister said through this project, the late scientist's dream will come true.
Both sides, however, termed the agreement very preliminary one as it was signed after an initial negotiation. If negotiation proceeds, a state-level agreement will be signed later.
Yeafes noted that Bangladesh has earlier signed similar agreements with the USA and China as well.
"We will seek proposals from other countries and finally accept that proposal which will be most competitive for Bangladesh," he said.
He said that it might take 4-5 years to implement the planned 600-1000-MW nuclear power plant. The cost of the plant might be $ 1.5-2 billion.
The head of Russian delegates said Russia is confident that its proposal will be "quite competitive" and its technology is "best in the world".
"We have finalised two agreements for setting up nuclear plants in India. We are setting up 2 plants in China and one in Iran," he said, adding that Russia, a superpower of the past Cold War era, has engaged in building nuclear power plants in different countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Russia has also 31 nuclear power plants which generate 16 per cent of its total electricity.
The Russian chief of delegates also believes that funding for the Bangladesh nuclear plant would not be a problem as Russian technology is a proven one.
"It's not problem of money. The first thing is to finalise the agreement. There will be different options of funding. But Bangladesh government will have the sovereign authority to take decision on the matter," Spasskiy told reporters responding to a question.
Prime Minister's energy Adviser Dr Taufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury Birbikram said the initial cost involvement in the nuclear power is high, but its production cost is cheaper.
Sources said the MoU envisages taking necessary measures for installation of reactors for power generation and development of other infrastructures for setting up a nuclear power plant, supply of energy for the plant and operation and maintenance and also the waste management of the plant.
A Bangladesh delegation is now to visit Russia soon to see its nuclear power plant and also hold the final round of negotiations.
Earlier, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina provisionally approved the draft MoU, officials said last week.
Science secretary Nazmul Huda Khan told the news agency on Monday that they had made a lot of ground in the negotiations.
The draft MoU was finalised in a three-day meeting last month in Dhaka where they had agreed on installation of the plant.
Ministry officials said the capacity of the power plant would be finalised in the final deal but the government decided to set up two plants,
each with 1000 megawatt capacity.
Russia did not specify the financial terms which would be settled after the final agreement, said the officials with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
Sources said Russia was interested to provide loan, probably on easy terms, rather than grant. The Economic Relation Division will settle the financial terms and conditions once the MoU is signed.
Russia supplied 10 nuclear power plants last year and has supplied as many as 65 plants to Iran, India, China, Armenia, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Finland, Bulgaria and Germany. Currently it is constructing 11 power plants in countries.
The first initiative to install nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in Rooppur, Pabna was taken in 1961.
Currently 439 power plants are producing 16 per cent of total electricity around the world.
China and South Korea also approached Bangladesh to set up new clear power plant.
Source the independent bangladesh
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