Bangladesh to set up nuclear power plant by 2015

A 600-1000 MW nuclear power plant is likely to come up at an estimated cost of $1-1.5 bn; the blue print has been submitted to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Dhaka: Bangladesh has decided to set up a 600-1000 MW nuclear power plant by 2015 and would submit a plan to International Atomic Energy Agency for technical assistance for its construction by next month.

“Our aim is to bring the nuclear power plant into production by 2015,” Chief of country’s Atomic Energy Commission Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan was quoted as saying by the New Age newspaper today.

Bhuiyan, who has returned yesterday from Vienna after participating in a five-day IAEA conference, said that Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission was set to submit the plan to IAEA for its technical assistance for the proposed plant by next month. The total investment for setting up a power plant would be around $1-1.5 billion, he said.

Energy adviser of the interim cabinet Tapan Chowdhury, who led the country’s delegation to Vienna, held talks with China, India and Pakistan for setting up the nuclear power plant and also got positive responses.

Chowdhury, seeking technical assistance from the nuclear watch dog, held meetings with IAEA officials including its director general Mohamed Al Mohamed El Baradi.

The IAEA, assuring its assistance in setting up a nuclear power plant for generating electricity, has given Dhaka a “green signal” to explore places for establishment of the proposed nuclear power plant in northwestern Pabna two months ago, the report said.

The severe power crisis has led to long hours of load shedding affecting industry and public. There is demand of 5,000 MW during peak hours against the production of 3,600 megawatts. An IAEA delegation is expected to visit the country between December and January