Photo: Collected
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has taken an initiative to set up a small modular reactor (SMR), or small-sized nuclear power plant, in Bangladesh for the first time. As part of this plan, an expert team of Chinese state-owned company China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) recently toured the char area of Madarganj in Jamalpur.
Small modular reactors are modern-style small-sized nuclear power plants. Compared to conventional large plants, they are smaller in size and can be installed easily using factory-made components. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the generation capacity of each such unit is usually 300MW or less.
BPDB Chairman Engineer Rezaul Karim told online news outlet Just Energy News that the Chinese delegation has been shown a total of four potential sites for setting up modular power plants. Of these, they visited Madarganj last week. They are scheduled to see another potential site in Rangabali of Patuakhali soon.
To implement the project, the BPDB has already signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with CEEC. According to the plan, small and medium-sized nuclear modular power plants with a combined capacity of 200MW to 300MW will be installed at different places in the country. After the technical and geographical feasibility is assessed, the next steps will be taken with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Meanwhile, the BPDB has spoken of uncertainty over the progress and commissioning deadline of the country’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur. The agency’s chairman said they have no clear information about the specific progress of work on Rooppur’s first and second units. Although discussions on the power purchase agreement have begun, there is still no final idea about what the price or tariff per unit of electricity will be.
China Energy Engineering Corporation is a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation. The operations of this large infrastructure development group owned by the Chinese government extend to more than 60 countries and regions of the world. Internationally, such small modular nuclear reactors are currently in operation only in Russia and China. Bangladesh too is moving along this path to make use of environment-friendly and advanced technology besides increasing power generation.
