Dhaka, Moscow signs nuke power deal

3 November 2011: Dhaka signed a landmark deal with Russia on 2 November 2011 to finalise arrangements for installing two nuclear power plants at Rooppur in Pabna.

The estimated cost of the first-ever nuclear plant of the country however was not disclosed. Such types of projects usually take nearly five years to complete but with respect to this one, it will take a few more years as the feasibility study is yet to be completed. The most important part of the deal is that the spent fuel (used fuel that becomes radioactive) will be taken back to Russia for reprocessing. The cooperation under the agreement would include, “design, construction and operation of nuclear power and research reactors; nuclear fuel supply, taking back the spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste management. The companies will employ all safety measures in the plant design to avoid accidents that took place at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan when a strong earthquake hit the country recently.

Source: Daily star