Banglash has recently signed with Russia a nuclear power deal which would allow the country to construct its two first nuclear power plants. This project, funded by Russia will help reduce Bangladesh’s immense energy deficit. According to authorities, the construction of these plants won’t start until 2013, and they will be located 170km northwest from the town of Rooppur. Regarding the installation of the plants, Russian authorities assured the population that security and safety measures will be taken. In addition, these plants will be able to resist extreme weather events, alone or simultaneously, and even a plane weighting over 4000 tons. On the other hand, this project will be able to reduce Bangladesh’s energy deficit considerably, most particularly by 1000 megawatts of electricity.
On the one hand I consider this to be a really good idea. Firstly, it would reduce Bangladesh’s energy deficit which would automatically imply that more and more people will be able to have more access to electricity. Secondly, and as result of the first, people’s quality of life will increase and subsequently, the protests and social unrest that take every day in this country will progressively decrease. Thus, there will be a significant social progress.
On the other hand, though this project is beneficial in the long term, as of today, it is already causing country-wide protests because of its potential risk and of its costs. In addition, it is necessary to take into account that Bangladesh is very prone to natural disasters and terrorist attacks, and even though security measures will be taken and the plant will be virtually indestructible, this doesn’t mean it can’t be destroyed. As a result, it is necessary to weight the benefits vs. the risks, because if a disaster were to occur, it could have catastrophic consequences.
Reference: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/03/world/asia/bangladesh-nuclear-power/
From my point of view, it is obvious that this project could cause terrible consequences, because nuclear plants are something dangerous. However, it is important to highlight the benefits of this deal with Russia. The construction of the two first nuclear power plants might reduce Bangladesh´s energy deficit, but of course I can understand the protests of the country´s population. Despite all the security measures, the nuclear plants can cause catastrophic damages, and this is a risk Bangladesh will have to run if it wants to reduce its energy deficit. Anyway, I think this will be a great project.
ReplyDeleteI think that Bangladesh has just taken a very smart decision. It is true that there are terrorist and weather risks, however it is something that exists in all fields of life, risks must be taken in order to beneficiate from something. Modern nuclear plants still are probabbly one of the safest constructions on earth. It is true that they are not perfect, and that there are risks, but the probabbilities are minimun.
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