IAEA to help Bangladesh set up nuclear power plant

DHAKA, June 19 -- Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will assist Bangladesh with technical assistance in setting up a nuclear power plant to meet its growing energy need.

A three-member Bangladesh delegation headed by SM Wahiduzzaman, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the caretaker government, recently visited Vienna at the invitation of the IAEA and got the assurance after talking with IAEA officials.

A government official who declined to give his name told Xinhua Thursday the talks of Bangladesh delegation with IAEA officials were fruitful.

"We got assurance from the agency beyond our expectations," he said.

The IAEA has developed a program for providing the technical assistance to Bangladesh who topped the list of eight developing countries received clearance from IAEA for setting up nuclear power plant last year.

The Bangladesh delegation apprised the IAEA officials of their country's existing infrastructural facilities for implementing the plant.

About cost of the plant, the official said, one Megawatt of such energy will now cost around 1.52 million U.S. dollar. Initially Bangladesh will go for a plant of 600 to 1,000 MW.

About availability of fund, the official did not name any country, but said several countries are interested to provide the required fund.

"Fund is not a problem," he said.

Bangladesh generates around 4,000 MW power a day against its demand over 5,000 MW. Due to inconsistent power supply, the economy of the country particularly the industrial and agriculture productivity are the worst hit.