Why in news
Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an investigation into alleged financial irregularities amounting to $5 billion in the $12.65 billion Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, which is being constructed with Russian assistance.
About the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
- Location: The plant is under construction in Iswardi, Pabna District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh.
- Significance:
- It will be Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant.
- Expected to supply 9% of Bangladesh’s total electricity needs.
- Owner: The plant is owned by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
- Technology:
- Features two VVER-1200 water-cooled reactors developed by the Russian state corporation Rosatom.
- Construction began in November 2017.
- Capacity: Once operational, the plant will generate 2,400 megawatts of electricity.
- Cost and Funding:
- Estimated cost: $12.65 billion.
- Funded primarily by a Russian loan, repayable over 20 years.
Investigation and Allegations
- Key Accusations:
- Financial irregularities of around $5 billion.
- Alleged embezzlement by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq.
- Claims include the laundering of $900 million through companies like Prochchaya and Destiny Group.
- International Focus:
- Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour MP and Hasina’s niece, is accused of laundering £3.9 billion and faces scrutiny in the UK.
- Sheikh Rehana, Hasina’s sister, reportedly fled to India after the Awami League government fell in Dhaka.
- Western Sanctions on Russia:
- The project has attracted international attention due to sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assured Bangladesh of the project’s timely completion during his visit in September 2023.
Timeline and Milestones
- 2011: Agreement to build the plant initiated.
- 2015: Contract signed between Rosatom and BAEC.
- 2016: Bangladesh Atomic Regulatory Authority issued the first site license.
- 2017: Construction began.
- 2018: Trilateral agreement signed among India, Bangladesh, and Russia, with India providing assistance through NPCIL.
- 2025: First unit expected to be operational.
Strategic Importance
- Energy Security: Aims to diversify Bangladesh’s energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- International Collaboration: Represents a major joint effort involving Russia, Bangladesh, and India.
- Geopolitical Relevance:
- The project underscores Russia’s commitment to international energy partnerships amid sanctions.
- Strengthens ties between Bangladesh and its collaborators, India and Russia.
Recent Developments
- Nuclear Fuel Delivery: The first nuclear fuel is expected to arrive by October 2024, as per Sergey Lavrov.
- Progress Status: The construction is reportedly on schedule despite international challenges.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant remains a critical project for Bangladesh’s energy ambitions, though mired in controversy over alleged corruption.
1. What is the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant?
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project, located in Iswardi, Pabna District, Rajshahi Division. It features two Russian-built VVER-1200 reactors.
2. Why is the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant significant?
This project is a milestone for Bangladesh, as it aims to diversify the country’s energy sources and provide 9% of its electricity needs through nuclear power.
3. Where is the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant located?
The plant is situated in Iswardi, Pabna District, approximately 160 kilometers northwest of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
4. Who is building the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant?
The plant is being constructed by the Russian state-owned company Rosatom, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
5. What technology is being used in the plant?
The project includes two VVER-1200 water-cooled reactors, a cutting-edge technology developed by Rosatom.
6. What is the total cost of the project?
The estimated cost of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is $12.65 billion, with a significant portion funded by a Russian loan repayable over 20 years.
7. When did the construction of the plant begin?
Construction began in November 2017, following the issuance of the first site license in June 2016.
8. When will the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant become operational?
The first unit of the plant is expected to be operational by 2025, with both units generating a total of 2,400 megawatts of electricity.
9. How is the project funded?
The construction is largely financed through a loan from Russia, which Bangladesh is expected to repay over a period of 20 years.
10. What is the controversy surrounding the project?
The Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh has alleged financial irregularities amounting to $5 billion. Key figures, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her relatives, have been implicated in these allegations.
11. What role does India play in the project?
India, through its nuclear organizations like NPCIL, is providing technical assistance as part of a tripartite agreement signed in 2018 among Bangladesh, Russia, and India.
12. How has the Russia-Ukraine conflict affected the project?
Despite facing international sanctions over the Ukraine war, Russia has assured timely completion of the project. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated this commitment during his visit to Bangladesh in September 2023.
13. What are the expected benefits of the plant for Bangladesh?
The plant will provide a stable, clean energy source, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and contribute to Bangladesh’s energy security.
14. Why has the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant gained international attention?
The project is significant due to its large scale, international collaboration, allegations of corruption, and geopolitical implications amid Western sanctions on Russia.
15. What are the environmental concerns related to the plant?
While nuclear energy is considered a clean energy source, concerns about radioactive waste management and potential risks during operation exist, but these are mitigated through advanced safety measures.
16. How does the plant contribute to Bangladesh’s energy mix?
Once operational, it will supply 2,400 megawatts of electricity, reducing reliance on coal and natural gas.
17. Who oversees the plant’s development in Bangladesh?
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) owns and oversees the project in collaboration with Rosatom.
18. How has the project impacted Bangladesh’s international relations?
The plant has strengthened ties between Bangladesh, Russia, and India while bringing Bangladesh into the global nuclear energy landscape.
19. What are the next milestones for the project?
The delivery and charging of the first nuclear fuel are expected by October 2024, with the first reactor becoming operational by 2025.
20. What safety measures are being implemented for the plant?
The VVER-1200 reactors are equipped with advanced safety systems, including passive cooling and containment mechanisms, to prevent accidents and ensure environmental protection.