Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project at Rooppur will supply uninterrupted electricity at a lower cost-something no other energy source can currently offer.
Nuclear power from Rooppur will be safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly, said Dr. Zahedul Hasan, Managing Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL).
He shared this during a briefing on Sunday while discussing the latest progress of the project.
Emphasizing the importance of nuclear energy in the global energy mix, Dr. Hasan said that nuclear power plants are more cost-effective to operate than any fossil-fuel-based facility.
Although the initial construction cost is high, the long lifespan of nuclear plants-60 years on average and extendable to 80 or even 100 years-makes nuclear power far more economical in the long run.
In comparison, fossil fuel plants typically last no more than 25 years. “Considering a century-long supply of electricity, nuclear power is undoubtedly the most profitable option,” he added.
Energy experts note that per capita electricity generation in Bangladesh currently stands at around 433 kilowatt-hours. To move from a developing to a developed nation, this must increase to 800 kWh by 2030 and 1,500 kWh by 2041.
A nation’s progress is closely linked to its per capita electricity use, as electricity influences every aspect of modern life. Reliable and affordable power therefore remains the driving force behind development.
Speaking on the subject, Tirtho Das, Development Manager of the Nuclear Information Center in Dhaka, described solar energy as a useful source but not sufficient on its own.
The theoretical efficiency limit of solar energy conversion is 33.16%, and actual efficiency is even lower.
He pointed out that if the entire land area used for the Rooppur plant were instead filled with solar panels, it would generate only 8 megawatts, whereas the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will produce 2,400 megawatts.
The two sources, he said, are not comparable in terms of land use and energy output. He further explained that solar panels lose efficiency quickly in local conditions due to dust, smoke, hailstorms, strong winds and UV radiation.
Once panels degrade, Bangladesh lacks proper disposal systems, and toxic substances within them could contaminate the environment.
Coal-fired power plants, on the other hand, inflict irreversible damage on ecosystems, raising the cost of electricity even further.
“Although nuclear power plants require high upfront investment, their ability to supply electricity for up to a hundred years makes them the most economically viable option,” he added.
