Bangladesh’s Nuclear Power Plant: Economic Blackhole or Energy Backbone?

[bluesky]

Nations and ethnics groups wobble between unity and disunity, between order and disorder, in a cyclic manner. John B Glubb, english philosopher of history, concluded that periodicity of every such cyclic is approximately 10 generation - around 200 years. It always begins with a visionary, charismatic and strong leader or group of leaders.



With nuclear energy, the refueling time is singnificantly longer. Stockpiling uranium can make a country self sufficient for many many years. It hives a huge energy security and resillience to market disturbances.

You are generalizing atomic energy. Our Rooppur installed capacity is only 2400 MW and the cost of installation is 12 billion dollars. You can build 12,000 MW powere stations with the same money. Gas or diesel. BD is a poor country. It should not waste money on unnecessary things. But, you guys are all after cheap propaganda as if an atomic power station gives BD a privileged status. It will rather bring economic calamity on this poor country.

 

[Bilal9]

Rooppur atomic power plant will remain an economic disaster. The cost is $12 billion (Principal only and without counting interests) to install only 2,400 MW capacity reactors. It is too expensive.

A country develops and builds its usual coal-fired power stations to initiate economic progress and development at cheaper investment in the power sector.

Rooppur will be an economic drag for many years to come. It is a horse race disease for a poor man like BD.

@bluesky bhai you put in a good point. However Bangladesh' hands are tied because the EU has decided it will not do business with countries going forward if they are not Carbon neutral. That is why our govt. stopped investing in newer coal plants. In fact there were three or four more supercritical coal plants in the pipeline a year ago when they were finally cancelled.

That being said, while initial investments are high, cost to produce electricity using nuclear energy is a bit lower than coal and of course it doesn't pollute the environment at all. It takes a huge amount of coal to produce the same amount of electricity a tiny amount of nuclear fuel produces. Transportation of coal from other countries for Bangladesh coal powerplants is a huge problem, both cost and sustainability wise.

France produces nearly 70% of its electricity using nuclear technology. As a result electricity is cheapest in France among EU countries.

However wind and solar installed costs are even lower than nuclear. We will be pursuing those too, especially solar.

Here's a rundown,

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[Bilal9]

New nuclear fission technology (molten salt reactor using thorium) will drastically cut the cost of nuclear fission construction costs and will eventually replace all uranium fission for power.

Since water is not used as cooling or moderation, there is no pressure dome or massive cooling towers. The size of a 300Mwe reactor, when technology is matured, could be 10x3 meters, manufactured on a industrial production line, shipped perhaps as a kit by ship, rail, truck or air to any location in the world and cost less than a new coal fired plant.

The reactors could be housed underground with a visible foot print of a power shack, connection to the grid and access roads.

As compared to uranium power which only uses 2–5% of the fuel at a time, thorium consumes over 95% of the fuel and is continuously replenished as needed.

Metered power costs could be under $.03/kwh. Cost of fuel is less than $.001.

The Thorium Molten Salt Reactor – Stichting Thorium MSR

www.thmsr.com

 

[rainbowrascal]

You are generalizing atomic energy. Our Rooppur installed capacity is only 2400 MW and the cost of installation is 12 billion dollars. You can build 12,000 MW powere stations with the same money. Gas or diesel. BD is a poor country. It should not waste money on unnecessary things. But, you guys are all after cheap propaganda as if an atomic power station gives BD a privileged status. It will rather bring economic calamity on this poor country.

You do realise our power sector will collapse, along with our economy if no other gas reserve is discovered in the next 10-20 years, right?
We should be scrapping existing oil and gas based power plants, not incline more to it

 

[bluesky]

@bluesky bhai you put in a good point. However Bangladesh' hands are tied because the EU has decided it will not do business with countries going forward if they are not Carbon neutral. That is why our govt. stopped investing in newer coal plants. In fact there were three or four more supercritical coal plants in the pipeline a year ago when they were finally cancelled.

That being said, while initial investments are high, cost to produce electricity using nuclear energy is a bit lower than coal and of course it doesn't pollute the environment at all. It takes a huge amount of coal to produce the same amount of electricity a tiny amount of nuclear fuel produces. Transportation of coal from other countries for Bangladesh coal powerplants is a huge problem, both cost and sustainability wise.

France produces nearly 70% of its electricity using nuclear technology. As a result electricity is cheapest in France among EU countries.

However wind and solar installed costs are even lower than nuclear. We will be pursuing those too, especially solar.

Here's a rundown,

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View attachment 845570

You are citing a lame excuse. The EU laws are good for countries like themselves and China or India. It is not yet applicable for the poorest and underdeveloped countries like BD, Vietnam, or other SE Asian developing countries. Vietnam has put moratorium on nuclear power plant for another 20 years only because it is too expensive.

Bangladesh has no technologies even to build a coal-fired power station without getting financial and technology assistance from other countries.

But, I very much understand what you guys think. You love this kind of extravagancies because you guys think they uplift BD prestige. But, not thinking about false prestige, BD should have built 12,000 MW normal power stations, instead with the same money.

Repayments are becoming very difficult. Within a few years, the country’s repayment figure will rise to 5 billion dollars.

 

[BananaRepublicUK]

You are citing a lame excuse. The EU laws are good for countries like themselves and China or India. It is not yet applicable for the poorest and underdeveloped countries like BD, Vietnam, or other SE Asian developing countries. Vietnam has put moratorium on nuclear power plant only because it is too expensive.

Bangladesh has no technologies even to build a power station without getting financial and technology assistance from other countries.

But, I very much understand what you think. You love this kind of extravagancies because you guys think they uplift BD prestige. BD should have built 12,000 MW normal power stations, instead.

Repayments are becoming very difficult. Within a few years, the country’s repayment figure will rise to 5 billion dollars.

Unfortunately, you know the price of everything and value of nothing.

Energy security and price stability is essential. We already import massive amount of gas using foreign currency. Which is going to increase exponentially as our gas reserves deplete.

Bangladesh is already massively polluted with those riverside brick kilns and popup factories.

You want to make breathing impossible by building more coal powered power station?

What about the effect on farming?

Our power generation has to be met with a combination of nuclear and offshore wind power turbines.

We need another nuclear power station and foreign investment in offshore wind. We don’t need to take any debt for either - if it’s done on a build and own basis.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

BangaBandhobi

Hazrat Sheikh Hasina. Because She has done more to service of Islam since the Rashidun Caliphate according to an AL MP.

 

[bluesky]

Unfortunately, you know the price of everything and value of nothing.

Energy security and price stability is essential. We already import massive amount of gas using foreign currency. Which is going to increase exponentially as our gas reserves deplete.

Bangladesh is already massively polluted with those riverside brick kilns and popup factories.

You want to make breathing impossible by building more coal powered power station?

What about the effect on farming?

Our power generation has to be met with a combination of nuclear and offshore wind power turbines.

We need another nuclear power station and foreign investment in offshore wind. We don’t need to take any debt for either - if it’s done on a build and own basis.

Learn the basics of national economic development process and ask Hasina Bibi to follow the Vietnamese model of not indulging in borrowing by two hands to spend on projects that have near ZERO returns. Rooppur is just one such project.

Borrowings are done in BD in a way as if there is no tomorrow and our politicians deserve eating free lunch and do not have to pay back the loan money plus interests.

It is not too far when BD would be receiving 7 billion dollars from the Donors and paying back 5 billion dollars every year. And, this will be followed by 7 billion and 7 billion. And the next would be 8 to 10 billion after receiving 7 billion.

Instead of living in a la la dream, wake up and see what will happen to BD only after a few years. But, if you have no knowledge on the national economic development process, better you do not wake up to face the future reality.

But, the future will soon be hunting BD for extravagancies and living beyond means.

 

[UKBengali]

You do realise our power sector will collapse, along with our economy if no other gas reserve is discovered in the next 10-20 years, right?
We should be scrapping existing oil and gas based power plants, not incline more to it

Hasina has been planning this for 10 years and BD will have 2 nuclear power stations in service by 2030.

Together they will produce 4.8GW of power - around 20% of demand at the time.

BD must as a matter of survival go to power sources like nuclear, hydro, wind and solar as soon as possible.

Nuclear is already pretty much ticked with Roopur about to go into production soon.

Hydro power will come from Nepal and Bhutan.

As long as BD does not rely on India, Nepal and Bhutan for more than say 20% of it's electricity generation needs then there is no national security issue here.

Half-educated people like we have a few BD'shi posters on this forum are irrelevant as they can just write in frustration but the BD show will stay on the road with zero input from them.

 

[Wergeland]

Hazrat Sheikh Hasina. Because She has done more to service of Islam since the Rashidun Caliphate according to an AL MP.

Astagfirallah

 

[bluesky]

Astagfirallah

Why wastagferulla when the four Caliphs did not ask the Christian donors to build nuclear power houses?

 

[Wergeland]

Why wastagferulla when the four Caliphs did not ask the Christian donors to build nuclear power houses?

Go ahead and tell government to start up coal fired locomotives from the 19th century. After all they are probably cheaper than electric high speed trains.

 

[BananaRepublicUK]

Learn the basics of national economic development process and ask Hasina Bibi to follow the Vietnamese model of not indulging in borrowing by two hands to spend on projects that have near ZERO returns. Rooppur is just one such project.

Borrowings are done in BD in a way as if there is no tomorrow and our politicians deserve eating free lunch and do not have to pay back the loan money plus interests.

It is not too far when BD would be receiving 7 billion dollars from the Donors and paying back 5 billion dollars every year. And, this will be followed by 7 billion and 7 billion. And the next would be 8 to 10 billion after receiving 7 billion.

Instead of living in a la la dream, wake up and see what will happen to BD only after a few years. But, if you have no knowledge on the national economic development process, better you do not wake up to face the future reality.

But, the future will soon be hunting BD for extravagancies and living beyond means.

Your concern about debt is a valid concern.

By we are not Vietnam.

60 years of communism has given them a good foundation. Millions of people had to die in the process though.

Plus they have plenty of land and resources.

We are not as fortunate as them.

Hence we have to borrow and privatise wisely.

No one gave Bangladesh a chance due its geography and large population.

Hasina has changed people’s perception of Bangladesh.

Give her some credit. She is extremely competent and can handle the big egos.

It doesn’t mean you cannot criticise her e.g. her corrupt cronies and certain family members.

Just be fair and balanced.

 

[UKBengali]

Your concern about debt is a valid concern.

By we are not Vietnam.

60 years of communism has given them a good foundation. Millions of people had to die in the process though.

Plus they have plenty of land and resources.

We are not as fortunate as them.

Hence we have to borrow and privatise wisely.

No one gave Bangladesh a chance due its geography and large population.

Hasina has changed people’s perception of Bangladesh.

Give her some credit. She is extremely competent and can handle the big egos.

It doesn’t mean you cannot criticise her e.g. her corrupt cronies and certain family members.

Just be fair and balanced.

Nope, absolutey zero validity on the debt front.


Nuclear power would actually be cheaper than coal, especially with the massive hike in the price of coal. Not only that but coal is the dirtest fossil fuel whereas nuclear is totally clean.


As for BD debt it is miniscule for the region and has now peaked as a percentage of GDP and should fall slightly as the decade progresses.


BD exports should grow a lot quicker than debt payments and so little to worry about there. BD has options in the case of exports not rising in line with debt repayments. It can reduce infrastructure buildup as one option.

Worrying about BD being in the same position one day like Sri Lanka or Pakistan is like worrying about an Asteroid strike to take out BD. Yes it may happen but the chance is very slim.

 

[BananaRepublicUK]

Nope, absolutey zero validity on the debt front.


Nuclear power would actually be cheaper than coal, especially with the massive hike in the price of coal. Not only that but coal is the dirtest fossil fuel whereas nuclear is totally clean.


As for BD debt it is miniscule for the region and has now peaked as a percentage of GDP and should fall slightly as the decade progresses.


BD exports should grow a lot quicker than debt payments and so little to worry about there. BD has options in the case of exports not rising in line with debt repayments. It can reduce infrastructure buildup as one option.

Worrying about BD being in the same position one day like Sri Lanka or Pakistan is like worrying about an Asteroid strike to take out BD. Yes it may happen but the chance is very slim.

For the first time ever - I am worried about the balance of payments situation.

We cannot have remittances continuously plugging such massive holes!