Russian-Bangladeshi nuclear cooperation could strengthen soon, as the Asian country announced its intention to construct the second nuclear power plan in the country’s south, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the military-defense complex Yuri Borisov said on Saturday at the beginning-of-works-ceremony of the second power unit of the Rooppur nuclear plant.
“Today Prime Minister (of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina) hinted that they have plans to construct two new power units in the southern part of Bangladesh, which is why I think there are chances that we will expand this cooperation,” he said according to TASS.
Borisov called the start of construction of the second power unit of the Rooppur NPP, performed under Russian design, “a landmark event both for Bangladesh and Rosatom, Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation.”
“It is a very important project, which brings the economy and energy of Bangladesh to a new level as energy reserves are required for the development of industry, production, high-tech agriculture, and science,” he said.
According to the Deputy PM, Rooppur is a long-term project with benefits for Russia.
The plant is constructed according to the Intergovernmental Russian-Bangladesh agreement on cooperation in the area of NPP construction on the territory of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh of November 2, 2011.
The construction of the first power unit of the nuclear power plant started in November 2017. On July 8, 2018, the Bangladeshi Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) granted a license for design and construction of Rooppur NPP’s second power.
