Bangladesh Receives First Uranium Shipment
The nuclear fuel was supplied by Russia and will be used at the Rooppur nuclear power plant built in Bangladesh by the Russian state-owned company Rosatom.
Bangladesh has finally received the first shipment of Russian uranium that will be used for one of the two reactors in the new Rooppur nuclear power plant. This project is funded and implemented by Russia. The commissioning of the nuclear power plant, which is expected to significantly strengthen this South Asian country’s energy security, has been hampered by Western sanctions against Moscow.
“Today is a historic day of pride and joy for the people of Bangladesh,” said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a video conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite some difficulties not related to Russia, “the construction of the Rooppur nuclear power plant is proceeding in accordance with the program,” Putin emphasized. Construction began in 2013. According to the project developed by the Russian state company Rosatom, the plant will be equipped with two nuclear reactors of the VVER-1200 type with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts.
Putin guaranteed that “the first reactor will be launched next year,” and the second will come into operation in 2025. After a few months of run-in operations, the plant will reach full capacity and increase electricity generation in Bangladesh by 10%. “The implementation of this project will contribute to the development of cooperation between our two countries and significantly contribute to the development of the economy, as well as strengthen the energy security of Bangladesh,” Putin emphasized.
“In addition, Russia will provide all necessary assistance throughout the entire life of the nuclear power plant, including obligations for long-term supplies of reactor fuel, technical maintenance of the NPP, as well as for the handling and safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel,” the Russian president added.
The Rooppur nuclear power plant was built by Russia on the Padma River, 160 kilometers northwest of the capital, Dhaka. The Russian generation 3+ project involves the installation of two VVER-1200 reactors with a service life of 60 years and the possibility of extension for another 20 years.
In addition to the leaders of Russia and Bangladesh, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, also took part in the opening ceremony of the Rooppur nuclear power plant via video link. At a press conference after the ceremony, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov recalled that “the Russian Federation, through the Rosatom company, continues to implement a number of important infrastructure projects around the world.”
