From Malay Mail · · 1m 30s
Bangladesh Nuclear Plant Power Hope
Bangladesh’s first nuclear plant promises power relief but sparks neighbor worries.
In brief
Bangladesh’s first nuclear plant promises power relief but sparks neighbor worries. Bangladesh’s Rooppur nuclear plant, costing US$13 billion, aims to supply over 10% of the nation’s electricity once operational despite safety concerns. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Bangladesh’s First Nuclear Plant
Bangladesh prepares to switch on its first nuclear power plant, a long-delayed project promising relief from chronic electricity shortages.
Rooppur Plant Details
The 2.4-gigawatt Rooppur nuclear plant, a US$13-billion project more than a decade in the making, has transformed the once sleepy nearby village.
Electricity Supply Goal
Once fully operational, its two reactors are expected to supply more than 10 per cent of electricity demand in Bangladesh.
Russian Partnership
The project, built with Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has brought thousands of Russian workers and new businesses to rural Bangladesh.
Local Economic Impact
Md Emon Khan, 28, left his garment-factory job in Dhaka to sell vegetables and fruit to workers at Rooppur.
Safety Concerns
Md Yunus Ali, 80, whose home is a 15-minute walk from the plant, fears safety risks from the nuclear facility.
Project Timeline
The plant’s first reactor is scheduled to be turned on by the end of this year, with the second unit operational within a year.
Power Shortage Impact
Belly Begum, a 55-year-old farmer, struggles with frequent power cuts during irrigation.
Future Electricity Hope
Belly Begum hopes the Rooppur nuclear power plant goes into operation soon to provide 24-hour electricity without interruption.
What it means
Bangladesh’s Rooppur nuclear plant, costing US$13 billion, aims to supply over 10% of the nation’s electricity once operational despite safety concerns.
