Rooppur Power Plant to get high-powered nuclear reactors: Rosatom DG

Rosatom Director General (DG) Alexey Likhachev today (October 20, 2022) said Bangladesh will be given high powered nuclear reactors for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) for the optimum electricity generation.

He informed it during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Gono Bhaban residence, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters after the meeting.

Fresh nuclear fuel will come to Bangladesh in October next year for the RNPP as well, said Likhachev.

The Rosatom DG told the premier that they want to celebrate the arrival of the fresh nuclear fuel in Bangladesh with participation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general and concerned persons.

Mentioning that they are training Bangladeshi people for the RNPP, he said Russia is also interested to conduct research on nuclear science and technology in Bangladesh.

Russia is also providing assistance in building infrastructure for nuclear governance in Bangladesh, he added.

At the outset of the meeting, Likhachev briefed and explained the Bangladesh premier about the development and progress of the work of the RNPP.

Hasina extended her thanks to Russia, particularly Rosatom DG for providing support and continuing full swing construction during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She also appreciated Russia for their assistance in the power and energy sector since Bangladesh became independent.

Sheikh Hasina said Russian stakeholders may give emphasis on manpower development of RNPP so that Bangladeshi people could become capable in operating and maintaining the RNPP independently.

She also laid emphasis on security aspects of the nuclear power plant.