Future of nuclear energy in Bangladesh
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Khan Ferdousour Rahman
THE International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has approved a nuclear station to be set up in Bangladesh to generate power. It is learnt that Bangladesh got this approval with other seven countries. Accordingly a delegation will visit Bangladesh next week to work on the issue. The IAEA, established as an autonomous organization under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, serves as the world's foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology and carries out programmes to maximize the useful contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.
As of 2004, nuclear power provides 6.5% of the world's energy and 15.7% of the world's electricity. The US, France and Japan together account for 57% of all nuclear generated electricity. As of today, the IAEA reported there are 435 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world, operating in 31 different countries. Recent eight countries are in addition to those.
Asia is the only region in the world where electricity generating capacity and specifically nuclear power is growing significantly. In East and South Asia, there are over 109 nuclear power reactors in operation, 18 under construction and there are plans to build more in recent future. The greatest growth in nuclear generation is expected in China, Japan, South Korea and India. Even after liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, nuclear power was not considered until Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) was constituted in 1973, but it could not go forward due to lack of political decision as well as the required fund, except having one operating research reactor at Savar. With the recent approval of the IAEA, Bangladesh will be able to generate power using this technology.
But worldwide the environmentalists claim that nuclear power is an uneconomic and potentially dangerous source with a limited fuel supply, especially compared to renewable energy. According to them, although it is very efficient, yet it is relatively costly. Also, there are some risks involved in safety procedures and disposal of waste materials generated in nuclear power plants. Occasional accidents can also be dangerous. But except for Chernobyl disaster that was caused by a faulty and outdated technology in the former USSR, and the Three Mile Island incidence in the USA, there have not been any significant accidents associated with nuclear power generation.
However, before going for production, our experts must analyze the details of its outcome. We should utilize this technology for power generation and for the greatest interest of the nation if it is both economically feasible and environmentally sound.
The writer is a freelancer and can be reached at e-mail: [email protected]
THE International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has approved a nuclear station to be set up in Bangladesh to generate power. It is learnt that Bangladesh got this approval with other seven countries. Accordingly a delegation will visit Bangladesh next week to work on the issue. The IAEA, established as an autonomous organization under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, serves as the world's foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology and carries out programmes to maximize the useful contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.
As of 2004, nuclear power provides 6.5% of the world's energy and 15.7% of the world's electricity. The US, France and Japan together account for 57% of all nuclear generated electricity. As of today, the IAEA reported there are 435 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world, operating in 31 different countries. Recent eight countries are in addition to those.
Asia is the only region in the world where electricity generating capacity and specifically nuclear power is growing significantly. In East and South Asia, there are over 109 nuclear power reactors in operation, 18 under construction and there are plans to build more in recent future. The greatest growth in nuclear generation is expected in China, Japan, South Korea and India. Even after liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, nuclear power was not considered until Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) was constituted in 1973, but it could not go forward due to lack of political decision as well as the required fund, except having one operating research reactor at Savar. With the recent approval of the IAEA, Bangladesh will be able to generate power using this technology.
But worldwide the environmentalists claim that nuclear power is an uneconomic and potentially dangerous source with a limited fuel supply, especially compared to renewable energy. According to them, although it is very efficient, yet it is relatively costly. Also, there are some risks involved in safety procedures and disposal of waste materials generated in nuclear power plants. Occasional accidents can also be dangerous. But except for Chernobyl disaster that was caused by a faulty and outdated technology in the former USSR, and the Three Mile Island incidence in the USA, there have not been any significant accidents associated with nuclear power generation.
However, before going for production, our experts must analyze the details of its outcome. We should utilize this technology for power generation and for the greatest interest of the nation if it is both economically feasible and environmentally sound.
The writer is a freelancer and can be reached at e-mail: [email protected]