Deal signed with Russia for study

Bangladesh yesterday signed a contract with Russian state corporation Rosatom to conduct three vital studies to complete preparation for the construction of Rooppur nuclear power project.
To be implemented in 18 months, the contract was signed on the sideline of the "International Conference on Nuclear Power for 21st Century" held in St Petersburg, Russia.
Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Abu Sayeed Mohammad Feroz and head of Rosatom's affiliate company NIAEP-ASE Valeriy Limarenko signed the deal.
The arrangement will be financed under a $ 500 million loan with Russia that was secured in January at a rate of 3 percent interest.
Terming the deal a milestone to materialise the dream of setting up the first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, Feroz said the first component of the deal was to conduct a feasibility study to determine the technical and economic aspects of the project.
The second component involves conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and developing an environmental impact monitoring programme that would act as one of the watchdogs of the plant.
And the third component deals with conducting a site engineering survey and an environmental study to characterise the project site based on which the power plant will be designed.
In addition, both the sides would also develop a document for the site's licence in the light of International Atomic Energy Association's recommendations.
All these studies are needed to be undertaken to comply with Russian and Bangladesh laws.
“The contract is immediately effective,” said Feroz, adding that the steps were taken to release related funds under the new budget.
Russia is one of the prominent nuclear power technology developers in the world, having built 44 reactors inside the country and many in other countries.
Russia has agreed to provide Bangladesh with 90 percent cost for constructing the nuclear power plant which is expected to amount between Tk 12,000 crore to Tk 15,000 crore.