The process for importing nuclear fuel from Russia for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) has advanced one step further as the government on Wednesday approved $300 million as compensation guarantee in the transportation of Uranium.
The Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday approved the compensation guarantee to ease the complications of importing nuclear fuel for the country’s first ever Nuclear power plant.
Earlier on August 7, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the flagship joint project, the construction of the RNPP in Bangladesh, is being rhythmically implemented in accordance with the schedule and the first nuclear fuel is expected to be delivered and loaded in October.
The Russian Foreign Minister said this during a joint press briefing with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in the capital Dhaka immediately after his arrival in Dhaka on a two-day visit.
“All the necessary materials were delivered on time. We have guarantees from both companies involved in this project that everything will be done on time”, said the Russian Foreign Minister while talked about the construction of the RNPP.
New agency UNB reports; the amount of compensation is determined by international law. The finance division has given this guarantee for compensation in case of a nuclear accident during the transportation of this fuel or in the power plant.
On the other hand, the project's Russian contractor company 'JSC AtomstroyExport' is not taking any financial obligation in this case.
Recently Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal signed a document in this regard, the ministry official said.
The construction of a nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 2400 MW in two units of 1200 MW each is underway at Rooppur in Ishwardi Upazila of Pabna. The nuclear fuel for the plant is likely to arrive next October. The nuclear fuel will be transported to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by special cargo aircraft from the Russia.
The fuel will be transported from the airport to the Rooppur power plant by JSC Atomstroy Export’. It will be under the supervision of various law enforcement forces and the convoy formed with the participation of the relevant ministries.
As per rules, such power plants have to be insured against accidental damage while carrying nuclear fuel.
