Govt plans to construct another nuclear power plant: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday said her government has been mulling setting up of another nuclear power plant in the southern region to meet the increased demand for electricity which was a prerequisite to ensure country's overall development.

"We are going to install another (nuclear) power plant after completion of the existing one. We will construct it in southern region. If we are able to build another nuclear power plant, we will no longer face power crisis," she said.

She also added the government is looking for a suitable place in country's southern region to build another necular power plant.

The Premier said this while opening the installation work of reactor pressure vessels inside the physical structure of unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Joining the programme from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital through video conferencing, she called upon the people to remain vigilant as the vultures couldn't extend their claws.

She witnessed the installation of reactor pressure vessels in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and said, "Today is a very important day for us. The day is not only important for Bangladesh but also for mine as well."

The Premier said the day has brought pride for all as the reactor pressure vessels have been installed in the nuclear power plant while the nation is celebrating the country's golden jubilee of independence and 101th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sheikh Hasina said the country has now turned into a developing nation due to the relentless efforts made by the incumbent government since 2009 and "We are committed to making Bangladesh a developed one by 2041".

The Prime Minister said the government has been working to build Bangladesh as a prosperous one so the future generation can celebrate the country's 100th year of independence in a developed-and-modern technology-based country.

She added: "We have given a Delta Plan-2100 to make sure that the country never falls behind and Bangladesh can face any claw of vultures."

The Rooppur plant is expected to add 2,400MW of electricity to the national grid by 2024, helping the country meet its increasing demand.

The mega project is being implemented by the state-run Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) under the Science and Technology Ministry, with financial, technical and technological support given by Russia through its state nuclear agency, Rosatom.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and Russian company, JSC Atomstroyexport, signed a general contract for construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) on December 25 in 2015.

A video presentation was screened on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at the function.

Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman presided over the programme while Russia's state-run atomic energy body Rosatom's Director General Alexey Likhachev spoke as the special guest from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project site.

Science and Technology Secretary Ziaul Hasan delivered the welcome address, while Project Director of the plant Dr Mohammad Shawkat Akbar got connected from the reactor pressure vessels building.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is set to attain the nuclear power like other countries with completion of the power plant, But, she said that her country would use the nuclear power in peaceful activities such as producing electricity.

Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to ensure electricity for all in the country and nuclear power plant can play a significant role in pursuing the endeavour.

"As many as 99 percent of the total population have so far been brought under the electricity coverage," she added.