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Background and Current Status of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant |
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The proposal for building a Nuclear Power Plant in the western zone of the country was first conceived in 1961. Since then a number of feasibility studies were conducted, each of which established that the project was technically and economically feasible. The then Pakistan Government gave formal approval for 70 MW, 140 MW and 200 MW plant in 1963, 1966 and 1969, respectively. |
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Nuclear power generation is considered as most sustainable viable energy option. The advantages of this option include absence of green house gases, lower operating cost, less fuel and hence less sensitive to fluctuations in the price of fuel. The capacity of continuous and equal level power generation make the cost of a nuclear power plant cheaper in spite of its comparatively higher capital cost. The spin-off benefits of the nuclear options are enormous and the process of its implementation will help acquiring various state-of-the-art technologies that will eventually benefit many other sectors of the national economy. |
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Financing is the main challenge confronting implementation of RNPP. Nuclear power plants entail comparatively higher capital investment, yet one redeeming feature is its very low fuel cost, which makes the life cycle power generation cost cheaper than its conventional alternatives. In fact the incremental capital cost can be easily recovered from the saving on fuel cost alone in a matter of 3-5 years. This obvious advantage may make the task of debt servicing comparatively easier. Other advantage of nuclear power is its spin off benefits. That entail, acquisition of a whole range of technologies with quality compatible to the demands in the global market. The current overnight cost for a Medium to large size NPP is about US $ 1500 per KWe. The cost includes owner’s cost like training of O&M personnel up to decommissioning of the reactor. |
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Nuclear Power 