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Nuclear Power Talks With Moscow

Dhaka seeks to build two l,000MWplants

M Abul KalamAzad
The government is likely to submit a proposal to the visiting Russian delegation today for setting up of two 1.000MW nuclear power plants in the country.
Dhaka and Moscow also hope to reach an understanding regarding this today, the last day of the three-day talks with the two-member Russian delegation led by Vladimir Averkiev, head of international cooperation of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation.
"We will discuss some important issues with die Russian delegation today, including estimated cost of a nuclear power unit," said MM Neazuddin, joint secretary to the Ministry of Science. Information and Communication Technology.
Neazuddin is leading the Bangladesh side at the talks. Terming today's meeting very crucial, he told The Daily Star that everything would be settled widiin die next few days.
With litde hope for quick improvement of the existing severe power crisis, the government aims to sign primary agreements in this regard this month with Russia, which has shown enthusiasm to help Bangladesh with nuclear power technology.
France, China and South Korea have also shown interest in helping Bangladesh develop nuclear power plant while Bangladesh has bilateral agreements on nuclear cooperation with the United States, France and China. Bangladesh and Russia kicked off the talks on an agreement for constructing nuclear power plants and peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Russian team, which arrived earlier this week, presented an overview of the Russian nuclear technology on l uesday.
Yesterday's talks focused on Bangladesh’s current energy situation. "We discussed the existing infrastructure, transmission capacity, manpower and possible sites for setting up nuclear power units," said Neazuddin.
Jhe science and ICT ministry will prepare a report on the talks and submit it to the prime minister.
A memorandum of understanding might be signed between the two sides if the negotiation succeeds, paving die way for reaching a final deal.
The Russian team also includes Nikolay Poznyakov, head of external affairs of Russian International Relations Department, who visited the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission in Savar yesterday afternoon.
Bangladesh has long been nursing a nuclear power plant site at Rooppur, feasibility studies for which certified the project as technically and economically viable. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) representatives, who visited the site in November 2008, also gave Bangladesh the go-ahead with the project.
The IAEA, which gave Bangladesh technical support, also suggested completing certain regulatory arid safety tasks besides infrastructure development at Rooppur.
In line the 19-point suggestion of the IAEA, the government prepared a draft improving the existing nuclear law. Once the draft is finalised, it will be sent to Geneva for comments before being approved, said officials.
Earlier in 1980, Bangladesh's National Economic Council approved the proposal for installation of the Rooppur nuclear power plant.
The project had been originally taken up in 1961.
In recent negotiations, Dhaka has sought assistance from South Korea in setting up nuclear plants in Bangladesh.
A total of 431 nuclear power plants operating worldwide at present provide about 16 percent of the global electricity.