Bangladesh and the United States signed an agreement on the peaceful applications of nuclear energy on Saturday. The agreement was signed by Rehan Asad, advisor to the Prime Minister on Science and Technology, representing Bangladesh, and Jacob Helberg, Secretary, representing the United States.
Background of Cooperation
This cooperation in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear energy began in 1981 during the presidency of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman. The recent agreement between Bangladesh and the United States is recognized as a continuation of those efforts. Bangladeshi officials have not yet provided further details in this regard.
Delay in Nuclear Fuel Supply
While the supply of nuclear fuel for Unit 2 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh was supposed to take place on Thursday, it has not yet been realized due to unclear airspace. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, recognized as Bangladesh's first nuclear facility, is under construction in Rooppur, located alongside the Padma River in the Ishwardi area of Pabna district, and is progressing with technical support from the Russian state nuclear energy corporation (Rosatom).
The project includes the construction of two VVER-1200 third-generation reactor units that can jointly produce 2400 megawatts of base electricity. This facility is considered an important step towards Bangladesh entering the nuclear energy era.
Receiving Fuel from Russia
Bangladesh has officially entered the nuclear era, and the first shipment of low-enriched uranium fuel for Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been safely imported from Russia. This shipment includes 164 fresh fuel assemblies that were directly transported from the Novosibirsk Chemical Plant in Russia to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and was subjected to strict international oversight.
Upon arrival, the shipments were transferred to the power plant site in Ishwardi, Pabna, via a 300-kilometer “green corridor” under the protection of the Bangladesh Army and legal authorities. The official handover ceremony for this shipment took place in October 2023 and was considered a milestone in the history of nuclear energy in Bangladesh.
The recent agreement with the United States could help expand scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries and assist Bangladesh on the path to sustainable development and clean energy. This not only helps strengthen the country's energy infrastructure but could also serve as a model for other developing countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
