Nuclear power generation

Sadly, as Dr. Hossain has pointed out, money is the most serious barrier to doing something big, say, nuclear power plants, for a poor country like Bangladesh. In the 'New world' agenda of Bush-Blair, the primary motif is hostility to Muslims, and to deprive Muslim countries of cutting-edge technologies like nuclear and laser technology. The current activities in the UNSC and IAEA to stop Iran from the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purpose are sad reminders that our best intentions may not be sufficient. Even when deals are signed and hundreds of millions of dollars spent, there is no guarantee that the intended facility would produce electricity. That is where some extra effort in the international relations is necessary.

For Bangladesh, its problem is multifaceted. Its economy is weak with low cash flow. Those who can afford to be shareholders from inside in big projects are filthy rich from their ill-gotten money. They are comfortable with making deals under the table, not above. So, this leaves out major potential contributors from inside. The loans from IMF and WB may involve high interest rates with too much red tape that may be over killing for a nation that has not learned to manage its wealth right! Then there is the perception issue. Thanks to media barrage from other countries, Bangladesh is increasingly viewed abroad as a nation that sponsors terrorism. It is difficult to see how Bangladesh would be able to get into the nuclear field, unless there is a change in the government outlook that generates or promotes mutual trust.

Unfortunately, Bangladesh is energy starved and requires immense energy to make the necessary transition to a developing nation. Nuclear energy is cheap and its technology much safer today than it was back in the early 1980s when I worked on hypothetical LOCA problems (similar to the Three Miles Island disaster in Pennsylvania). Now, we have also alternative means of energy generation, e.g., windmills and solar energy. They are quite suitable for tropical coastal terrains of Bangladesh. A thorough review of all these potential candidates for energy is needed before opting for the nuclear option. If and when nuclear energy is the best option to choose, an international tender may be called for bidding. I am sure many big name companies like AREVA, NuStart Energy, GE, Toshiba, Hitachi, AECL, General Atomic, Framatome and Westinghouse with the know-how in construction and commissioning of nuclear power plants will be interested in bidding and doing the project, under close scrutiny from various agencies.

Lastly, Bangladesh needs to develop internal competencies in these areas.