Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (October 19, 2022) said that the government has imposed austerity in some areas, but that does not mean people of Bangladesh will not get electricity.

“People are getting electricity and that will continue, but we all have to maintain austerity… we are maintaining austerity in some cases. We are compelled to do so under the circumstances,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the installation of a reactor pressure vessel at the second unit of the 2,400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).

She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban while it was held at Ishwardi in Pabna.

The prime minister said the government’s target was to provide electricity for all.

“We have kept our promise. We have been able to provide electricity to every house in Bangladesh. And we have succeeded in illuminating Bangladesh,” she said.

In this connection, she said problems erupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Read: PM inaugurates installation of 2nd reactor at Rooppur nuclear power plant

“…Prices were hiked in every sphere, including transportation. As a result, developed countries are facing various problems. They have also focused on savings in every sphere of life. We are not lagging behind either…. The world is now a global village, and one is dependent on other. When the entire world is suffering from economic recession, we will have to endure that blow too,” she observed.

“We have also initiated austerity measures,” she said.

“That, however, does not mean people of the country will not get electricity.”

PM Hasina said Bangladesh sets an example in the world in the use of nuclear power for development and peaceful purpose.

She said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project is being implemented ensuring overall safety. Once the project is fully implemented, Bangladesh would march further ahead, she added.

Read Power crisis: Parts of Dhaka to experience up to 8-hour load shedding

The PM said that the nuclear power plant project will play a pivotal role in establishing a developed and prosperous Bangladesh through implementation of the long-term perspective plan for 2021-2041.

She described electricity generated from nuclear power plant as “environment friendly”.

She hoped that the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will come into operation next year, while the second unit will begin electricity generation in 2024 and a total of 2400 MW of electricity will be generated from the two units together.

She said that Bangladesh has already been recognised as a developing country because of tireless efforts of her government.

Highlighting success stories of her government over the last three terms, Hasina extended her thanks and gratitude to all concerned, particularly the Russian engineers and Bangladeshi experts and scientists working in the nuclear power project.

Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman, Director General of Russia’s Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Ziaul Hasan also spoke at the event. A documentary on the 2,400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was also screened at the programme.