“We must achieve this in all sectors. This is a must. One day, you will have to take charge of the Rooppur nuclear plant,” she told experts. “You need to achieve such capabilities. You need to prepare from now.”
The Prime Minister was speaking at a seminar on the role nuclear energy in the country’s overall development.
The seminar, held at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel, was jointly sponsored by the Bangladesh Ministry of Science and Technology and RASATOM, the state nuclear energy corporation of the Russian Federation.
A power plant would be built in southern Bangladesh to supply electricity if the facility at Pabna’s Rooppur proves successful, Hasina said.
Prime Minister described Russia as a “true friend” of Bangladesh earlier in her speech.
“The former Soviet Union had given our people support and strength. They stood by us during the worst of times,” Hasina said.
She recalled Russia’s support to war-ravaged Bangladesh after the liberation.
“They cleared embedded mines at the Chittagong and Mongla Ports and made them operational. They repaired the power station at Ashuganj. They helped us in rebuilding damaged bridges and others infrastructure.”
The Prime Minister said Russia had a lot of experience in nuclear technology and nuclear power generation.
“We want to utilise their technology and skill to produce safe electricity,” she said, stressing nuclear safety standards.
“The government has given top priority to develop an appropriate nuclear infrastructure based on the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Safety Standards and other relevant guidance as well as international good practices.”
She said the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Act, 2012 was promulgated to strengthen national nuclear regulatory infrastructure and ensure safe and secure application of nuclear technology.
An independent nuclear regulatory authority, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, has been formed to work closely with ROSATOM and IAEA.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh suffered frequent natural disasters because of its geographical location and the negative impacts of climate change.
“We will never compromise on the issues of safety. During my discussion with President Vladimir Putin, I requested him to give us the safest and the latest reactors. He has given me his assurance in this regard.”
Russia is also expected to provide technical support to develop local manpower to run and maintain the nuclear power plant.
“Russia has also agreed to remove the spent fuel in reactors and take the waste back to their country safely,” she added.
The Prime Minister hopes the Nuclear Industry Information Centre being set up by ROSATOM in Dhaka will begin functioning soon, familiarising people with the various facets of a nuclear power plant.
A total of 55 power stations with a generation capacity of 3,870 MW have been built since January of 2009.
The country’s generation capacity has been raised to 8,537 MW. Another 32 power stations are being built and, together, they will add another 6,344 MW to the grid.
Also, tenders for constructing 21 more plants will be floated soon.
Electricity connections were made available to 3 million new subscribers. Sixty per cent of the people in Bangladesh are now covered by the country’s electricity network.
The Prime Minister said the government wanted to reach power to every village.
“We have made medium and long-term plans to increase electricity production. We have decided to construct a nuclear power plant as part of that plan.”
Source: Bd news24
