Rooppur N-power plant: Dhaka, Moscow finalise action plan

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UNB, Dhaka :
Dhaka and Moscow have finalized a joint “action plan” for developing the proposed 2000 MW nuclear power plant project in Bangladesh.
Official sources said that after a through discussion on a proposed draft action plan in the 4-day joint working group meeting held in Moscow from November 10, both sides agreed to accept it.
“The joint working group has accepted the action plan and both the sides decided to give their final nod to it,” a member of joint working group from Bangladesh side told UNB.
However, the member of the working group, who was a member of the Bangladesh team, wished not to be named as he is not authorized to speak on the issue.
Russia and Bangladesh signed an agreement in November 2011 under which Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation – Rosatom – will build and operate Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at Ishwardi in Pabna having two units, each with 1,000 MW capacity.
A five-member Bangladesh delegation, led by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Rabindranath Roy Chowdhury, participated in the joint working group meeting in Moscow.
Sources said, the Bangladesh-Russia Joint Working Group on Nuclear Infrastructure discussed various issues, particularly the pre-infrastructure compliance that is required to be met by Bangladesh to start the physical works for the mega project.
“There are 19 such pre-requisites that need to be done by Bangladesh as per set rules of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency),” said the source.
The next joint working group meeting will be held in Dhaka within next six months as part of the understanding to hold its meeting every six months at alternative venue of Dhaka and Moscow.
A report on the current status of nuclear industry in Bangladesh and the country’s expected support from Russia for the sector was presented in the meeting by Bangladesh Delegation.
Russia also made several presentations on Quality Assurance, Budgeting and Cost Management, Preparation of General Contract, and Project Management in Implementing NPP Constructions.
In the meeting, Bangladesh sought Russian help to develop human resources and safety regulations to operate the nuclear power plant and maintain its safety and security.
Besides, the Bangladesh delegation also visited various facilities at Novovaronez Nuclear power plant, including Control Room, Turbine Hall, Full Scale Simulator, Training Center and Emergency Preparedness Center as well as ongoing constructions process.
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