Talks with Russia start to set up Nuke power plant

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=82237

Talks with Russia start to set up Nuke power plant
Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh and Russia yesterday launched a three-day talk on an agreement for assistance in setting up nuclear power plants in Bangladesh so that Bangladesh can peacefully use nuclear energy.

A two-member delegation led by Vladimir Averkeiv, the head of international co-operation of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, gave an overview on Russian technology on the first day of talks. Nikolay Poznyakov, head of external affairs of International Relations Department, is accompanying him.

“We will be discussing the possible deal with Moscow,” said MM Neazuddin, a joint secretary to the Ministry of Science, Information and Communication Technology and the leader of Bangladesh delegation.

During the dialogue held at the Ministry of Science and ICT conference room, the Russian team highlighted the technical aspects of a 1,000megawatt (MW) nuclear power plant, officials of the ministry said.

The Russian representatives will be briefed on Bangladesh situation, particularly on preparation and infrastructure developed so far at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, as originally taken up in 1961.

The team is also expected to visit headquarters of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).

Bangladesh aims to set up two medium-sized nuclear power plants by 2017. It has started discussions with countries capable of manufacturing such plants after the Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance government assumed office early January.

The countries include China, South Korea and France. “We will try to have at least two nuclear power plants of 1,000MW generation capacity as early as possible,” said Neazuddin.

The Russian team also gave a power-point presentation on Russian technology to the state minister for science and ICT at his office.

About the discussion on a draft of an agreement for peaceful use of nuclear energy between Bangladesh and Russia, the joint secretary said after initial discussion, the matter would be referred to higher authorities for their consideration.

On the second day, the two sides will discuss cost and financing of the proposed project.

Dhaka is still uncertain about how to finance the nuclear power project. A medium-sized plant requires between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, according to a paper prepared by the science and ICT ministry.

The final decision to set up the power plant will be made after reviewing offers from other countries. The government had also talks with China and South Korea on the matter, and more discussion is expected in future with other countries.

The Bangladesh delegation comprised of acting Chairman of BAEC Liakat Ali, Project Director of Nuclear Power Plant Shawkat Akbar, former chairman of BAEA Shafiqul Islam and Director of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Rafiqul Islam.

The government is seriously considering the nuclear power option against the backdrop of severe power crisis and bleak future of power generation with traditional resources.

However, experts are worried about financing the project as they estimated that setting up a 600MW nuclear power plant would cost between $900 million and $1.2 billion.

Bangladesh should implement its nuclear dream

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/04/01/news0567.htm

Bangladesh should implement its nuclear dream

ABM Nurul Islam

The recent announcement by the Prime Minister that the donor countries are showing interest for implementing the nuclear power station in Bangladesh is welcome news.

The reason that the world is taking a fresh look at nuclear power is driven by the common concern about our planet.

Concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) in the atmosphere, currently at 385 ppm, is rising rapidly. We need to stabilize the GHG’s at 450 ppm by the end of the 21st century to stabilize earth’s climate at 2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial level to avoid worst consequences.

Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts an increase in atmospheric CO2 to 750 ppm by end of 21st century with consequent global temperature rise of 2-5 degree Celsius, less at the equator, more at the poles, if business as usual is continued.

Latest computer models predict the arctic to be free of ice during the summer in the next few years. For how long can the magnificent Polar Bears swim and survive? Consequent sea level rise would cause places like Bangladesh and Maldives to drown gradually.

There are only a few realistic ways to reduce carbon dioxide emission from electricity generation:

Increasing efficiency of electricity generation and use
Expanded use of renewable sources of energy like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) of emissions from fossil-fuelled (particularly coal) stations and
Increasing use of nuclear power.

It is predicted that by 2030, the developing countries will overtake the industrialized countries in primary energy use; by 2050, global energy demand will double. Contribution from carbon-free energy sources will have to increase 7 times to keep CO2 levels below 450 ppm or 5 times to keep the same below 550 ppm.

It is obvious that the contribution from nuclear energy on a large scale, which will be a major contributor to reduce the GHGs, will need to come not just from the developed countries but also increasingly from the developing countries if we are to save this planet from environmental disaster.

To date only two major power reactor accidents have occurred: Three Mile Island reactor #2 on March 28, 1979 and at the Chernobyl reactor #4 on April 26, 1986. In both these cases the accidents would not have occurred had the operators not disabled the reactors’ safety systems. Following the accidents, improvements have been made in the design and operational procedures of both reactor types to prevent its recurrence. Concern for nuclear reactor safety is therefore more of a perception problem for the general public.

What to do with the spent reactor fuel is the million-dollar question. It is not “spent” in the sense that it is useless. In fact more than 98% of the energy is still contained in the so-called spent fuel. The French, who are currently the most advanced in the nuclear power field, are reprocessing the spent fuel to recover the useful uranium and plutonium and to concentrate and vitrify the waste products. When the Fast Reactors will come along, they will not only burn the plutonium and the higher actinides but transmute the long-lived radioactive wastes so that their isolation times will need to be of the order of 1000 years or so. That is not so long a period considering that the pyramids have been around for about 5,000 years. We should be able to build better. Bangladesh perspective

Bangladesh as a front-line victim of climate change should be a model of GHG reduction by making nuclear energy a part of its energy mix. The high initial cost (approximately $ 1 billion for a 600 MWe nuclear station) is offset by its low fuelling cost and numerous spin-off benefits. For example, the spin-off benefits to the South Korean economy from its nuclear power programme are estimated at 2% of its GDP. By improving its high technology sector through its nuclear power programme, South Korea has moved from a developing to a developed country and has become a member of the prestigious Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Our nearest neighbours, India and Pakistan, are currently operating 17 and 2 nuclear power stations with total capacity of 3782 MW(e) and 425 MW(e) respectively with their own manpower since the beginning. As a former shift engineer of the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP), I can testify that running a nuclear power plant is not any more demanding than flying a jumbo jet that our pilots are doing regularly. BAEC’s research reactor at Savar will provide an excellent platform for training of nuclear power plant operators with assistance from the reactor supplier.

Nuclear technology because of its possible scope for misuse in making nuclear bombs is also a political issue and its import requires clearance by the 45 Member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Bangladesh has signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Full-Scope Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA that allows inspection of all our nuclear facilities by IAEA inspectors and the Additional Protocol that allows IAEA access to additional information and short-notice inspection. There should therefore be no reason to deny Bangladesh access to the fruits of this technology.

We are grateful to late President Ziaur Rahman for having put Bangladesh on the nuclear map of the world by bringing into reality the Savar Research Reactor with our own money.

Let us hope that the current Government with the strong mandate it has received from the electorate will have the political will to end the endless talk on Rooppur Nuclear Power Project and bring it to fruition. The benefits will go way beyond the energy it will generate.

Poland recruiting welders from Bangladesh

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/04/01/62675.html

Poland recruiting welders from Bangladesh

A Z M Anas

Poland has accelerated recruiting skilled workers in its booming welding sector, despite the global economic landslide, officials said Tuesday.

“The demand for pipe and gas welders is just rising, despite the global crisis,” Amirul Islam, a general manger with Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), said.

Poland is the biggest contributor to the Eastern Europe’s welding market.

He said that Polish companies took interviews of hundreds of Bangladeshi job-seekers in January and initially selected 54 pipe welders for recruitment.

“The company officials were happy with the efficiency of our workers. They were well trained. We hope that the first batch of welders will leave the country sometime in May,” Mr Islam told the FE.

Polish economy has been booming since it joined the European Union. Scores of companies shifted their production facilities to Poland and other newer EU member countries to capitalise on cheap labour and newfound opportunities.

Navana CNG to make direct listing

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/04/01/62709.html

Navana CNG to make direct listing

FE Report

Navana CNG Ltd has initiated steps to make direct listing of its shares with Dhaka Stock Exchange Ltd and Chittagong Stock Exchange Ltd.

“The company has fulfilled all conditions for such listing under the DSE/CSE Direct Listing Regulations and is expected to submit applications to the bourses within May 15 next, said a DSE source.

Navana CNG and Aftab Automobiles are sister concerns of Navana Group.

Aftab Automobiles has informed that in a meeting of the Board of Directors it has been decided that the company will invest in Navana CNG Limited for acquisition of 45,00,000 shares of Tk. 10 each (i.e. 15% of total holding) at face value from Mr. Shafiul Islam, the Chairman, Navana CNG Limited.

Per share price of Aftab Automobiles in recent months streaked to Tk 1269.25 from below Tk 300 amid the rumour that Navana CNG will go public.

Aftab Auto got listed on DSE in 1987 with the face value of Tk 100 per share.

The company now has 2319570 shares in the market with the paid-up capital of Tk 232 million.

The company earned Tk 57.42 million as net profit in the year ended December 31,2008.

Energy-saving lamp to revolutionise efficiency

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/04/01/62705.html

Energy-saving lamp to revolutionise efficiency

A Z M Anas

Bangladesh will start replacing traditional “incandescent” bulbs with lower-wattage lights early next year, officials said Tuesday, in a frantic attempt to save energy and boost efficiency.

Under the ground-breaking initiative, the government will give out energy-efficient 15-20 watt compact fluorescent lights (CFL) free of costs among nine million households in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet cities to pare back gas consumption.

The energy-saving lamp uses up to 75 per cent less power and lasts ten times longer, but they cost less than $1.0 each. By contrast, incandescent lamps are inefficient, requiring replacement every 1,000 hours or so.

“Any move to save energy and boost its efficiency is a crying need,” a senior power division official said.

“It’s a huge opportunity. Imagine, the country will be able to save at least 350 megawatt of electricity by just using such bulbs. If the current plan is implemented, it will keep the government from building a large power plant,” the official added.

Bangladesh relies heavily on gas to generate electricity, but this fuel source is expected to dry up by 2015, threatening to halt power generation across the country. Nearly 90 per cent of the country’s gas resources is used to generate power, making it the single largest fuel source.

The World Bank has estimated that the energy-starved nation could avoid pumping some $500 million in a 350 MW power plant by just wider use of CFL.

Dr Khurshid Alam, an energy expert at German development agency GTZ, said the aim is to phase out traditional bulbs by 2012.

“If the goal is achieved, it will save an astounding 850 MW of electricity,” he said.

Officials at Power Division and Economic Relations Division said the Washington lender is in talks with the government to fork out US$115 million in loan to finance the renewable energy programme, run by the biggest state alternative energy lender IDCOL.

Bangladesh’s renewable energy market is growing at an exponential 56 per cent a year, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The $150 million market is almost overwhelmingly dominated by solar system and experts forecast it would top $500 million by 2012.

Of the total lending, officials said $15 million will be earmarked for CFL distribution among the households located in three biggest energy-consuming cities.

“A bank mission just concluded talks with us. We agreed to press ahead with the idea. It will help save energy and boost efficiency,” Additional Secretary of ERD Mesbah Uddin told the FE. He said the loan is expected to be dispensed early next year.

ERD officials, however, have pressed for grants from the bank to finance the programme that is designed to accelerate the replacement of “incandescent” bulbs.

No World Bank official was immediately available for comment.

German development agency GTZ will provide technical support for the programme, a GTZ official said.

Nearly nine million households of Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions will be covered under the incentive programme.

Power division officials said the Bank has experience in replacing traditional bulbs with efficient ones in Indonesia, while it is currently working to popularise use of CFL in Ethiopia.

Last week, the European Commission adopted new regulations that would phase traditional light bulbs out in Europe by 2012. The United States will do so by 2014.

Renewable energy experts said Australia, Brazil and Switzerland have already got rid of such lights.

Even though modern bulbs are cheap, but inefficient, because only around 5.0 per cent of the energy they use is turned into light while the rest is frittered away.