Bangladesh witnessed a watershed moment with the inauguration of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). The first nuclear power plant of the country received nuclear fuel to produce electricity at a function at its site as Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin virtually joined it. With what is expected to have a considerable impact on the nation’s energy sector and socioeconomic landscape, the RNPP has become a symbol of national development and energy security. 

The RNPP is Bangladesh’s largest project, representing a major step towards becoming the 33rd country in the world and third in South Asia to use nuclear power. As the nation takes its place among nuclear energy-producing countries, it is poised to contribute significantly to its energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. PM Hasina mentioned that the RNPP is an additional step in her commitment to transforming the nation into a “Smart Bangladesh.”

 “We will use nuclear power to protect peace,” added PM Hasina, expressing her firm commitment to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons worldwide and to the implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Peaceful use of nuclear energy

The development of the RNPP commenced decades ago. A loan agreement signed during PM Hasina’s visit to Russia led to the official start of construction on October 2, 2013. Since then, RNPP has consistently evolved, overcoming obstacles such as international sanctions and stringent safety regulations. With an estimated cost of $13 billion, this project is being executed by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), with Russia providing technical and financial support. According to the project’s timeline, the first unit of this colossal 2400MW       power plant is poised to commence commercial operation in the first quarter of 2024. To maintain the plant’s efficiency, approximately one-third of the nuclear fuel in the reactor will need to be replaced every 18 months, emphasizing the importance of a steady supply.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is also helping Bangladesh to ensure safety, security and safeguard issues related to the RNPP, apart from knowledge and technology transfer in other areas of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including food security, health and nutrition, and pollution reduction. In the meantime, Bangladesh has been elected as a member of the IAEA Board of Governors for the third time since it joined the 177-nation global body in 1972. This comes as part of the recent election on 28 September, during the plenary session of the 67th IAEA General Conference, when eleven countries were newly chosen to serve on the 35-member IAEA Board for the 2023–2024 term. Bangladesh will be representing the geographic region of the Middle East and South Asia comprising 15 countries.  Member States.

Economic impact of the RNPP

The RNPP will have a significant effect on Bangladesh’s economy and is anticipated to be a game-changer, contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation. In addition, it will considerably reduce the cost of power generation, providing the nation with a dependable and cost-effective source of electricity. The power facility will contribute to:

Continuous electricity supply: An intermittent and inadequate supply of electricity has been one of the most pressing problems in northern Bangladesh. According to Dr. Shawkat Akbar, the Project Director of RNPP, experimental power generation from the first unit is anticipated to begin in December 2024, with full-scale power generation commencing in early 2026. This means that the people of northern Bangladesh can anticipate a reliable and continuous supply of electricity, which will not only better their daily lives but also increase industrial productivity.

“Bangladesh’s power sector is one of the fastest growing in the South Asian region. For example, generation capacity has almost tripled in the last 10-12 years. And this trend is expected to continue”, said Anton Khlopkov, Director of the Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS) of the Russian Federation and an international nonproliferation and disarmament expert. 

Boosting industry and technology: The uninterrupted power supply will benefit factories, manufacturing facilities, and technology-based businesses, resulting in increased production, technological advancement, and economic growth. According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear power is not only a source of electricity but also a catalyst for the growth of technology and expertise. The technical knowledge and skills developed during RNPP’s construction and operation will contribute to the development of the technology sector in Bangladesh.

Employment opportunities: The construction and operation of RNPP have generated a significant number of regional employment opportunities. Approximately 30,000 people, including 7,000 professionals, are working on the plant, according to sources. The local economy and livelihoods have benefited from these employment opportunities and hold a greater share of contributing to further employment opportunities. As the plant becomes completely operational, more jobs will be created both directly within the plant and indirectly in support industries and services, thereby enhancing the economic growth of the region.

Attaining carbon reduction goals

RNPP is consistent with Bangladesh’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability from an environmental standpoint. As a nuclear power plant, it will generate electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions, making it a crucial instrument for attaining the nation’s carbon reduction goals. RNPP will play a pivotal role in reducing Bangladesh’s reliance on fossil fuels, which are a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change, by generating 2,400 MW of electricity daily at full capacity. Consequently, RNPP is an essential step towards a clearer, greener, and more sustainable energy future for Bangladesh, with far-reaching implications for the environment and global efforts to combat climate change.

The successful operation of the  Rooppur plant will underscore the commitment of Bangladesh to responsible and secure nuclear energy utilization. With this milestone, Bangladesh is forging ahead into a brighter and more sustainable energy landscape, promising a better future for its citizens and the environment.

(The author is a political analyst and columnist in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Views are personal. He can be contacted at dr.ranajitmazumder1980@gmail.com)