Transmission line being built to connect Rooppur with national grid: Nasrul
State Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said the construction of a transmission line to connect the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant with the national grid is going on with coordinated efforts.
"The work of the nuclear power plant transmission line has been delayed due to Covid-19 and the Ukraine war," said the minister after a meeting with Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman at Bidyut Bhaban yesterday.
He said now the construction work is going in full swing to complete the transmission line for connecting the Rooppur Power Plant with the national grid within the stipulated time frame.
Meanwhile, Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman said the Power Division and his ministry are working together to complete the transmission line construction on time.
"Safety is of our utmost importance and all the work is satisfactory. But there are many challenges ahead including an unusual increase in dollar price. However, with the combined efforts of all, the work is expected to be completed on time," he said.
After the joint meeting, journalists were informed that the progress of the construction of the power transmission line from the nuclear power plant in Rooppur is satisfactory.
Replying to a question, Nasrul Hamid said the project was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.
"Now efforts are being made to expedite the project implementation", he said.
"We hope we can complete the transmission line before completion of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project," said the state minister.
The government has been constructing a 2,400MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project having two units. As per the project plan, the first unit of the nuclear power plant will supply 1,200MW in 2023 and the same amount of electricity will be available from the second unit in 2024.
The Rooppur project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission with the technical and financial support of Russia.
Nuclear scientist and Rooppur plant Project Director Dr Md Shaukat Akbar recently said the project has seen around 53 % financial progress and 55% physical progress. However, the overall progress of the first unit is 70%.