Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: Beginning of a story

Bangladesh has entered into a nuclear club through the inauguration of the main building phase of the country's first ever nuclear plant on November 30, 2017. The inaugural ceremony is the outcome of the 57 years 'efforts which commenced in 1961. Bangladesh is the 33rd member of the countries have nuclear power plants. Bangladesh is different from other members of the club in terms of population, size of geography, economy andGDP. Bangladesh is also a different case because a number of population is still under poverty line. Along with all challenges, the country's development is highly booming. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) has linked a new road of the high ways of mass development.

The RNPP is not a brand new program rather it began in the year of 1961 when the then East Pakistan planned to build a nuclear power plant. Over the years through different historical phases, in 2001, Bangladesh initiated a national Nuclear Power Action Plan. Bangladesh's dream of nuclear energy started to see light in 2010 when the government entered into an agreement with Russia regarding nuclear power plant.

The long-awaited RNPP is estimated to add 2400 MW of electricity to the national grid by 2024. This addition will help Bangladesh to meet its increasing demand of electricity. The project is estimated to cost US$12.65 billion which is the biggest-ever investment project in the history of the country. Of the expenses, Russia will provide 90% on a lower interest rate at 1.75%. Bangladesh will pay back the loan over the period of 28 years with a grace period for 10 years, according to the deal.

The government is highly committed to sustainable energy security. In this regard, to acquire, the government already has initiated a number of plans and policies. For example, RNPP, Rampal Power Generation Project, imported coal fired plants at Moheskhali and Matarbari and many others.

According to current government's vision 2021, it is targeted to increase power generation from present capacity of about 16000 megawatts (MW) to 24000 MW by 2021. The government's implementation of vision 2021 is clear to the people as it is continuing the Rampal against extensive criticisms from within and outside forces.

The Seven Five Year Plan also sets target to generate 23000 MW by FY 2020(end of the Plan).The government's ambition for development from macro to micro level is visionary as it comprehends the necessity of overall development. It is clear that the government puts top priority for the development of energy in all policies, plans, targets and agenda such as budgets, vision 2021 and Seventh Five Year Plan.

Critiques and civil society activists raised few questions considering Bangladesh's economic condition, capacity and other aspects related to human beings such as why does Bangladesh need such kind of mega project? How does Bangladesh manage waste disposal? Does the project ensure environmental safety? How will Bangladesh manage the money needed to continue the project?

This paper is an attemptto deal with the questions raised by the critiques and civil society activists. Firstly, if we endeavor to see Bangladesh as a middle income country by 2021,it is must to ensure energy security for industrialization and urbanization with a view to rapid development.

Without continuous energy supply, the notions of industrial and urban development are far cry. If the people from center to periphery does not have access to electricity, country's development will be unidirectional. In this regard the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says that "we want to transform Bangladesh into a middle income country…and a developed one by 2041.

I hope that the Rooppur PowerPlant will play an important role in achieving this goal." Secondly, the government has given priority to the issue of nuclear safety and radiological protection in implementing the project. The government is following International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety standards and other relevant international protocols, treaties and agreements. The government reached agreement with Russia regarding the waste disposal. It is also a safer and risk-free nuke as the project uses 3rd generation technology.

Thirdly, IAEA is providing adequate assistance to Bangladesh in building nuclear infrastructure such as reviewof nuke laws and coping with international legal regimes. For maintaining international rules and regulations regarding the uses of nuclear materials, IAEA states that "Several review missions, workshops, trainings and scientific visits have supported the country in building national capacity and nuclear knowledge required for such a complex and long term project."IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano also visited the project site in July 2017to oversee the progress.  The IAEA promises to ensure "a safe, secure, peaceful and sustainable nuclear power program."

Finally, radioactive waste disposed from the nuclear power plant causes harm to environment and if it is mixed with water, it will pollute water resources and cause harm to human body. Several environmental calamities may be generated through nuclear mismanagement. Scientists and civil society activists expressed deep concern over waste management of the project. Finally, the Prime Minister answers all the concerns to the people who were concerned about the waste disposal. Another aspect of satisfaction regarding the waste disposal is that engineers from Russia are closely associated with the implementation of the project.

Why do we need RNPP? It will meet the growing demand of electricity in coming years taking all the aspects of development in account. We need it simply for a sustainable energy policy with a view to retaining development of our country. Electricity conveys development from metropolitan to satellite areas. Without continuous supply of electricity foreign investment is not attracted in large scale. Because it is electricity which has always a great importance in producing goods and moving the wheels of machinery.

This mega project bears evidence that Bangladesh's energy security in future will be more sustainable. The RNPP will then be a fruitful project when we may ensure all spillover effects related to it. If such kinds of projects are to be completed, the journey of development of a country becomes speedy like bullet train.

The writer is a researcher at Bangladesh Center for Political Studies (BCPS)