Dhaka: Energy-starved Bangladesh on Friday
inked a crucial framework agreement with Russia on cooperation
for the country`s maiden nuclear plant that is expected to
produce at least 2,000 megawatt power by 2020.
State Minister for Science and ICT signed the
Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of the Use of
Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes with Director General of
Russia`s State Atomic Energy Corporation or "Rosatom" Sergey
Kirienko, in Moscow, a foreign office statement said on Friday.
The signing of the agreement would kick off a detailed
discussion on Russian assistance for the proposed Rooppur
nuclear power plant project which is to be installed at an
estimated cost of USD 1.5 billion.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, on a visit to Moscow,
witnessed the signing of the agreement.
Bangladesh is expected to produce at least 2,000
megawatt electricity by 2020 from two units of its maiden
nuclear power plant in Pabna district.
The perspective planning for power sector has
envisaged that 10 per cent of the total power generation would
come from nuclear energy by that time.
"The framework agreement will lay the basis of
detailed discussions leading to the signing of the final
nuclear deal" for installation of the Ruppur plant by 2017, a
science and ICT ministry spokesman told BSS.
The cooperation would include "design, construction
and operation of nuclear power and research reactors; nuclear
fuel supply, taking back the spent nuclear fuel and nuclear
waste management; personnel training and capacity building for
operation and maintenance of the Plants," the foreign office
statement said.
The Dhaka-Moscow cooperation under the agreement would
also cover research, education and training of personnel in
the Russian Federation in the field of the use of nuclear
energy, development of innovative reactor technologies, and
exploration and mining of uranium and thorium deposits".
"As per the agreement, the parties shall assure the
transfer of materials, technologies, equipment and services
for implementation of joint programmes in the field of the use
of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," the agreement read.
The framework deal also suggested that the two
countries establish a Joint Coordination Committee to control
its implementation.
Officials earlier said Sheikh Hasina was expected to
visit Moscow in September this year after preparatory works
for signing the final nuclear power cooperation treaty are
accomplished in line with the framework agreement.
PTI
