The Russian ship, carrying Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project materials, finally got the approval from India to dock at the Haldia port of West Bengal after it had been deterred to anchor at Mongla due to US sanctions on the vessel. The consignment, which had to be turned away from Bangladesh, may be sent to its destination by road from India, said officials. India is assisting Bangladesh in constructing the NPP under the India-Russia partnership for projects in third countries. The Russian ship, instead of returning, hovered in the Bay of Bengal since late December. All Indian ports are open to Russia-flagged vessels and India has been accepting consignments from Russia over the past year, with bilateral trade surging 300%. The Russian-flagged ship arrived at Bangladesh's Mongla port at the end of December 2022 with goods destined for the Rooppur NPP, Mongla Port Authority Secretary Kalachand Singh told media in Dhaka. "We have learned that the cargo from the vessel can be unloaded at the Haldia port in India's West Bengal. From there, another vessel could carry the consignment for the Rooppur power plant," said Singh. Sadhan Kumar, operations officer of Khulna Conveyor Shipping Lines, told Bangladeshi media, "In the past shipments for Rooppur NPP were delivered by Russian and neutral, foreign-flagged, vessels at the Mongla port. After the unloading of the cargoes at the port, they would be taken to Rooppur."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Oct 10) inaugurated reactor pressure vessel installation work of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), calling the day as "very important" for the country and herself as well.   "Today is a very important day for us. The day is not only important for Bangladesh but also for mine as well," she said after opening the installation work through video conferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka this morning.    The Premier later witnessed the RNPP's reactor pressure vessel installation process.   With installation of the reactor in the main unit of the nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna, the country's dream to produce nuclear energy is going to be materialized.   Installation of almost all types of nuclear equipment was completed by setting up reactor pressure vessels inside the physical structure of Unit-1. As a result, the work inside the reactor building of this unit nears completion.    Rooppur NPP has accumulated the best Russian practice and dozens of years of experience and scientific thoughts and the unique combination of active and passive systems of the power units will ensure safe operation of the power plant and guarantee the planned level of electricity generation.   Development of nuclear power industry will not only resolve the problem of energy supply in Bangladesh but will also contribute to the development of the region and enhance the living standards of the people.   The nuclear power plant in Pabna that consists of two units with a capacity of 1,200MW each is the country's maiden power project of its kind.   The Ruppur project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, which is being constructed with the technical and financial support of Russia.    Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman presided over the function and Russia's state-run atomic energy body Rosatom's Director General Alexey Likhachev spoke as the special guest from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project site.   Science and Technology Secretary Ziaul Hasan delivered the welcome address while Project Director of the plant Dr Mohammad Shawkat Akbar joined it connecting from reactor building.    A video presentation was screened on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at the function. Source: BSS AH

The much awaited ‘Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessel’ is going to be installed in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant situated in Pabna district. It is called the ‘heart’ of a nuclear power plant. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate it through video conferencing at 11 am on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Pabna Bishwas Russel Hossain and Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Imrul Kayesh confirmed about the inauguration program. According to Russian atomic energy agency (RUSATOM) and the project sources, the reactor pressure vessel reached in the country through waterways of about 14 thousand kilometers for the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in October last year. To place the reactor its infrastructure was constructed throughout the year. The ‘Reactor Pressure Vessel’ is the main part of the power plant. Key fuels will be put here. It was known that, the weight of the pot is 333.60 tons. The reactor reached at the Mongla port on its way through Black Sea and Suez Canal. From there it was brought to Pakshi at Ishwardi through waterways of the Padma. Meanwhile, all out preparation has been taken for the inaugural program of placement of the reactor at the project site at Rooppur in Ishwardi. Experts and guests from the country and abroad were invited. Science and Technology Minister Dr. Yafes Osman, Project Director Dr. Sowkat Akbar, experts from Russia and concerned ministry officials will be present in the inaugural program. Mentionable, Bangladesh Awami League in its election manifesto in 2008 pledged about constructing the Nuclear Power Plant. In 2010 a framework agreement was signed with Russia about peaceful use of the nuclear power. The proposal was accepted in the parliament to construct the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in the same year. In 2012 Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Act was passed in the parliament. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first phase work of the power plant in 2013. AH  

Russia’s state-run ROSATOM has started installation of Core Melt Localization Device (Core Catcher), one of the main equipment of the plant’s passive safety system, the Russian nuclear energy agency said in a statement on Saturday. Reports BSS. Atomstroyexport, Engineering Division of ROSATOM and the General Contractor began installation of Core Catcher at the plant’s second unit two days ago, one month ahead of the schedule. “This is one of the main elements of a passive safety system and the first large-sized equipment being installed in Unit 2 building. Due to coordinated efforts of our engineers it has become possible to begin the installation works earlier,” the statement read. Vice-President and Director of Rooppur NPP Project Sergey Lastochkin said construction of both the units of Rooppur NPP was progressing as per schedule. The release said that installation of Core Catcher at Unit-1 began earlier on August 18, 2018. Operations of the Core Catcher like other passive safety systems do not depend on any person or his skill or circumstances. It follows only the fundamental natural law. Core Catcher for Rooppur NPP is designed considering the site condition and safety requirements. It is also equipped with flood protection features and possesses simplified installation and assembly technology. Having two units the plant will generate 2400 MW power while the world’s latest 3+ Generation VVER 1200 reactors were chosen for the plant. AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the main construction work of much awaited Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. She inaugurated the first nuclear project of the country through pouring concrete molding with her own hands at 11 am on Thursday. High officials of both the countries including General Manager of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation-Rosatom Alexey Likhachev were present during the occasion. This power plant will supply 2400 mega watt electricity to the national grid by the year 2024. Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission is implementing the project under coverage of Science and Technology Ministry with financial and technological assistance from Russia through Rosatom. In this connection an agreement was signed between Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and JSC  Atomstroyexport on 25th December, 2015. BAEC Chairman Md. Monirul Alam and Atomstroyexport Vice President Vladimir N Savuskhin signed the contract on behalf of their respective organizations. Rosatom appointed Russian Atostroyexport will implement the project with a cost of 12.65 billion dollars. Earlier, in January, 2013 credit agreement worth 500 million dollars was signed with Russia to provide project engineering design, site development and personal training and an agreement was signed with Rosatom in 2011to construct the nuclear power plant. According to the agreement, Russia will provide all out cooperation to set up the power plant. The country will also supply fuel and take back the used fuel from the plant. The project which is being constructed on 262 acres of land has the capacity of producing 2 thousand 4 hundred megawatt electricity from two units. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of this nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Ishwardi of Pabna on 2nd October 2013. AH/ MK