The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) received the design and licence for the construction of second unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) chairman Naiyyum Chowdhury formally handed over the licence for the 1,200-megawatt (MW) unit to BAEC chairman Mahbubul Hoq at a function on Sunday.
Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman attended the ceremony at a city hotel as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the decision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was a timely and right one.
With the implementation of the RNPP project at Ishwardi in Pabna, Bangladesh would be the 32nd or 33rd nuclear power plant-owning country, he said.
The project is being implemented under the monitoring of International Atomic Energy Agency (AEA), Russian nuclear regulator and Indian nuclear regulator, said the minister.
Russia will provide 90 per cent of the upfront cost of the project, he added.
Azizjst@yahoo.com