9 Jul (NucNet): The Bangladeshi Atomic Energy Regulator has issued a licence approving the design and construction of the second Russia-supplied Generation III+ VVER nuclear power unit at the Rooppur nuclear power station, about 150 km west of the capital Dhaka.
Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said the licence had been issued to the Atomic Energy Commission of Bangladesh on 8 July 2018. The issuing of the licence was confirmed in a statement by Atomstroyexport, the general contractor for the plant.
“The document confirms the safety of the project and gives permission for the construction of the second power unit,” Rosatom said.
According to Rosatom, the first unit at Rooppur, construction of which began in November 2017, is scheduled to begin commercial operation in 2023 with the second unit following in 2024.
In July 2017, Russia agreed to release a state loan to finance the construction of the bulk of the Rooppur project. No mention was made of the amount of the loan, but earlier media reports put it at $12.6bn.
Two 1,200-MW V-392M pressurised water reactor units are to be built at Rooppur. The reactor design has already been used at Novovoronezh 2-1 in Russia, which began commercial operation in February.
