The Cabinet Purchase Committee (CPC) is set to consider a US$ 265 million deal between Bangladesh and Russian Federation on the proposed 2000 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) in its meeting on Sunday.
Under the deal, Russian contractor—Atomstroyexport—will carry out three works on the proposed power plant for Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
The work package includes performance of survey works, development of design documentation and first priority working documentation for RNPP.
However, the amount of $ 265 will be paid from $ 500 million state-export credit which Bangladesh will receive from Russia for preparatory phase works on the project.
Earlier, the CPC approved a $ 45.9 million deal between Atomstroyexport and BEAC for initiating the works on the project.
As per the agreement signed between the two nations in January this year during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Moscow visit, Russia will provide the $ 500 million for feasibility study and some other purposes of the project which are considered as preparatory works.
Officials said on completion of the feasibility study and some preparatory works, the construction cost on the project will be determined on the basis of the feasibility study.
In that case, Bangladesh will have to take separate loan to meet the construction cost.
An idea was given by the Russian state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom that the cost of the proposed 2000 MW power plant might be US$ 2 billion.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved Tk 5087.09 crore (about US$ 654.27 equivalent) for the first phase of the project to set up a 1000 MW unit by 2017. The second phase of the project—another 1,000 MW unit — will be installed by 2023.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the project works on October2 at the Rooppur site in Pabna.
The Rosatom will supply and install Vodo-Vodyanoi Energetichesky Reactor (VVER), a Russian version of the Pressurised Water Reactor, for the project.
As per contract with Russia, Rosatom will build, operate and provide fuel to the plant and take its waste back to Russia regularly.
Experts of the BAEC will conduct tests along with the Russian state atomic company.
The tests will include feasibility evaluation, environment impact assessment, development and engineering survey, development of the comprehensive programme of engineering survey, anthropogenic conditions at the project area and site and engineering and hydro-meteorological survey.
Source: UNBConnect