Director General of Rosatom State Corporation, Russia Alexey Likhachev called on Sheikh Hasina, Honorable Prime Minister at her office Monday to discuss issues of strategic cooperation between his company and Bangladesh.
Alexey Likhachev arrived in Bangladesh on October 10 on an official visit. The visit of Rosatom DG coincides with completion of the installation of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) at Unit 1 of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Alexey Likhachev Sunday launched the final stage of installation of the reactor pressure vessel, which started on September 14, 2021, a press release said.
The 334-ton structure to host mainly the Reactor Core was installed into the design position with the help of a polar crane.
PM Sheikh Hasina joined the RPV installation ceremony from Ganabhaban through video conferencing. In her speech the PM said,” October 11 is a day of joy and pride for us as the Reactor Pressure Vessel is being set up at unit-1 of Rooppur Nuclear Plant. And by this we confirm our strong presence in the nuclear world so far as peaceful use of nuclear technology is concerned.”
‘‘After being convinced about safety and management of nuclear waste at the meeting with President Putin in 2013, I decided to go for nuclear,’’ she added.
Sheikh Hasina thanked Russia for extending their support in implementing the Rooppur project.
‘‘Earning knowledge about the most modern technology like nuclear by our young generation will help them acquire special qualifications and skill,’’ Sheikh Hasina opined.
“As this technology doesn’t have carbon emission, hence it is eco-friendly and will help fight against adverse effects of climate change. This power station will help us achieve SDG goals by 2030 in line with our development plan and facilitate graduation to a developed nation in 2041,” she further added.
Alexey Likhachev emphasized the significance of the reactor pressure vessel installation and underlined the well-coordinated works of the specialists of Rosatom and their colleagues from Bangladesh in bringing the country closer to its goal of getting nuclear power.
He stated that for his company implementation of Rooppur NPP is of absolute priority.
“Rooppur NPP has witnessed the important milestone of the year of 2021 – the reactor pressure vessel of Unit No 1 has been installed in the design position. The high skill of the specialists and the thorough preparation ensured implementation of the job with utmost precision”, said Alexey Likhachev.
“Rooppur NPP has accumulated the best Russian practice and dozens of years of experience and scientific thoughts. The unique combination of active and passive systems of the power units will ensure safe operation of the power plant and guarantee the planned level of electricity generation”, he added.
“Development of the nuclear power industry will not only resolve the problem of energy supply in Bangladesh, but will also contribute to the development of the region and enhance the living standard of the people,” Likhachev opined.
“Cooperation between Russia and Bangladesh is of strategic character. I am confident that many more other projects both in the field of power engineering and other areas are yet to be implemented by Russian and Bangladeshi specialists together”, Likhachev further said.
Installation of the VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel in design position was performed in several stages. At first, the Liebherr-11350 heavy caterpillar crane raised the reactor pressure vessel on the transportation portal of the power unit. Then the reactor vessel was moved to the central hall of the reactor building on a special transportation trolley. Following that, the polar crane put the reactor pressure vessel in a vertical position and installed on the support ring in the reactor pit.
VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel was manufactured by AEM-Technology of Russia. The 12-meter-long RPV with a weight of 334.2 tonnes underwent necessary inspection in accordance with all the regulatory requirements.
Rooppur NPP is designed and constructed by ROSATOM State Corporation Engineering Division. The nuclear power plant will host two VVER-1200 reactor power units, with a life cycle of 60 years and with a provision of extension for another 20 years. Russian VVER-1200 reactors are of evolutionary Gen III+ design which fully complies with all international safety requirements.
