Bangladesh and Russia have signed a protocol to receive the first batch of nuclear fuel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).
RNPP Project Director Md Shawkat Akbar and Russia’s Atomstroy Export Vice President Alexey Deiri signed the protocol on Wednesday in Siberia.
Speaking to The Business Post, Project Director Shawkat Akbar said, “All formalities have been completed for bringing in the nuclear fuel. The fuel is coming to Bangladesh only after passing through a number of stages.
“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has to be informed to transport nuclear fuel, and this step has been completed as well. After the first batch, Bangladesh is getting two more batches of uranium for free from Russia as per the agreement.”
These three fuel batches will come in the first three years, he added.
According to sources, the Prime Minister's Office has directed to commission the RNPP by the middle of next year. At the same time, instructions have been given to complete all kinds of preparations, including building a grid for the power plant.
Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant is being built at Rooppur in Pabna with the help of Russia. The 2400MW power station has two units. The construction cost of the project is $12.65 billion.
