Another nuclear power plant in southern region, PM said.
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved a project to develop infrastructure for safety supervision of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) involving Tk1,710.63 crore.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting held at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
According to the project proposal, major portion of the cost has been earmarked for consultancy services to be procured from Russia and India. Out of the total cost, Tk1,332 crore or 77% has been allocated for consultancy services.
The proposal keeps Tk1,258 crore for the Russian consultancy firm Rostechnadzor while the share of Indian firm International Atomic Energy Agency is Tk 62 crore.
The government will bear the full cost, also including those for appointing local consultants and support staffers, land acquisition, purchase of machinery and vehicles, travel and training.
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (Baera) has initiated the project, starting in the current fiscal with the target to complete it by June 30, 2025.
The objective of the project is to licensing RNPP, controlling emission of radiation and safety concerns, setting up laboratory, developing skilled manpower, conducting research on safety concerns, establishing system of quality control and routine inspection during construction, production, operation, fuelling and commissioning.
The RNPP’ s main phase, construction, began in 2017 and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2023, according to Baera.
The RNPP is located on the eastern side of the River Padma near Iswardi in Pabna.
Meanwhile, the PM said the government would set up another nuclear power plant in the southern part of the country, Planning Minister MA Mannan informed reporters during briefing after the Ecnec meeting.
“PM said that another nuclear plant will be set up after completion of the current one (Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant),” Mannan said.
He said the PM, however, didn’t mention any timeframe or suggest any specific location for it.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
