BAEC gets license for Rooppur nuke plant design, construction

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission today formally received the design and construction license, paving the way for the main construction work of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1.

The commission received the license 'with some conditions' from Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) at a ceremony at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka.

Speaking with journalists, Rooppur NPP Project Director Dr Shawkat Akbar said the license proves that the nuke plant and its technological components are safe and it gives project authorities the go ahead with the construction.

“From today we have the legal authority to start the main construction,” he added.

The design and construction license have been prepared by BAERA with the help of experts from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russia and India after evaluating all the regulatory documents.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally inaugurate the main phase construction on November 30, Shawkat said.

Russia's state-owned Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation will implement the project, which is the most expensive project in the country.

As per the plan, Rosatom is expected to complete first plant by 2022. Earlier, Bangladesh and Russia inked a number of deals for the construction of two nuclear power plants-- each having 1200-megawatt capacity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Science and Technology architect Yeafesh Osman said with receiving the license Bangladesh has now entered into the world’s “Nuclear Club”.

The Rooppur NPP is a dream project for the countrymen and it proves that Bangladesh can do, he said, urging the atomic energy commission authorities to dedicate themselves fully in the project with maintaining due transparency.

“It’s a rare chance before the atomic energy commission to prove the country’s ability,” the minister added.

Speaking as special guest, Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Mashiur Rahman said the government is not only interested in building the nuclear power plant but also fully concerned about ensuring its safety measures.

Handing over the license, BAERA Chairman Prof Naiyyum Choudhury said the success of the project relies on proper maintenance of nuclear regulation which appeared to be a big responsibility.

Alexey Ferapontov, deputy chairman of Russian Federation regulatory body Rostechnadzor, said his country is committed to help Bangladesh implementing the power plant while great responsibility and unity is required to go ahead with the project.

Abul Kalam Azad, chief coordinator for SDG affairs at the Prime Minister's Office, and BAEC Chairman Dilip Kumar Saha, among others, spoke at the ceremony.