DHAKA - Bangladesh today signed a primary deal with Russia for installing a 2000 MW Nuclear Power Plant at Rooppur in Pabna.

By signing the deal, the government launched country's first nuclear power plant project (NPP) which would be completed in 2017-18 at the cost of US$ 1.5 to 2 billions.

Secretary of the ministry of Science Abdur Rob Howlader and ICT and Deputy Director General of Russian Atomic Energy Corporation Nickolay Spasskiy initialed the deal on behalf of their respective country at Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

State Minister for Science and ICT, Yeafesh Osman, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Gennady P. Trotsenko and high officials of the ministry and Russian Embassy were present on the occasion.

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Prepared the action plan for executing the power Plant project to meet the growing demand for energy.

"Both the sides agreed to install two third-generation reactors, each with 1,000 MW capacity, " a top official of the ministry told .

He said the final deal would be signed in April this year when the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to visit Russia.

According to the ministry, Russia will manage the spent-fuel and recycle it.

Bangladesh completed all necessary preparations for setting up a nuclear power plant and signed MoUs with China, Russia, USA, France and India for cooperation in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy. It also initiated talks with South Korea.

Considering the present reserves of gas, coal and other sources of energy in the country, the revised National Energy Policy (2008) strongly favoured a nuclear power plant as other imported fuel options like coal and oil for power generation are becoming increasingly expensive.

"We are moving fast to sign the agreement with Russia. We would complete all necessary procedures by one or two months. We are moving forward to fulfill our commitment to set up a nuclear power plant, " said State Minister for Science and ICT, Yeafesh Osman. News www.energybangla.com