Fate Of Nuclear Wastes In Bangladesh Considering Geological Disposal

Nuclear energy in Bangladesh Recently, Bangladesh entered into the nuclear power program by implementing the first nuclear power plant at Rooppur, Pabna (RNPP project) in history, which is expected to add 2,400 MW to the national grid by 2025.

- Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman Sumon

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is implementing this project with the help of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) while the Russian State Energy Commission (ROSATOM) is providing the financial, technological, and technical support1. Meanwhile, the government has taken all the necessary initiatives to train manpower for safe operations, build proper infrastructures, and establish legal institutions to ensure maximum safety for human beings and the environment. In addition, a high-power research reactor (RR) at AERE premise will be installed soon for training and research purpose. However, there are several challenges to achieving a sustainable nuclear program where the safe and sustainable management of radioactive wastes (RW) is one of the main concerns. Since its inception in the 1950s, around 30 countries are using nuclear power to meet their energy demand. About 445 reactors around the world provide 10% of the world's energy and 50 more reactors are under construction equating to 15% of existing capacity. 50 countries have small-scale reactors for medical isotope production and training purposes. In Japan, about one-third of electricity production depends on nuclear energy amidst the limited mineral resources. However, about 400,000 tonnes of used fuel have been discharged worldwide and 25-30 tonnes are produced from a large reactor every year. Recycling of nuclear fuel has been adopted as the basic policy in Japan for the effective utilization of nuclear energy where the reusable uranium and plutonium are recovered from reprocessing of spent fuel. As a result, the transuranic (TRU) low-level radioactive wastes with long-lived actinide nuclides are generated in addition to the high-level radioactive wastes (HLW). According to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NUMO), a total of 18,100 m3 of TRU wastes and HLW wastes are required to be disposed of in a sustainable manner2,3.