At present, the demand of electricity in Bangladesh ranges somewhere from four to five thousand megawatts. The average production of electricity is 3,200 megawatts, the maximum production being 3,800 megawatts. The shortfall is around one thousand megawatts. At present 80% of total electricity is generated by power stations using gas, 5% by gas-diesel driven generators and 5% by hydro-electric power. Besides, the generators running on diesel alone and producing 10% of electricity are run only in the dry season for irrigation purposes. The newly established 250 megawatt coal-operated power station in Boropukuria, Dinajpur frequently shuts down due to mechanical faults.

At present in Bangladesh the amount of gas used each day for producing electricity is eighty crore cubic feet which is 50% the total daily extraction of gas in the country. The rate at which the demand for electricity is increasing, it may reach as high as 8,000 megawatts by 2010. Considering this trend, if more gas burning power stations are installed, all the gas reserves of Bangladesh will be dried up in near future.

Besides, it is not possible to run power stations by oil which has to be imported from abroad at a high price. There is no scope for establishing any more coal-based station which has to be near a coal-field or hydro-electric power station which harnesses a strong flow of water. Electric supply harnessing solar energy has limited use in specific areas. Considering the present technology and the cost, its general use across the board is not possible. The prospect of wind-mills for producing electricity in Bangladesh is even bleaker. In the back drop of this scenario, we should seriously consider the only economically viable and technically feasible technology: nuclear power.

The fuel of nuclear power reactor is uranium-235 (enriched uranium). In such a reactor, energy is released from the fission (breaking into two fragments and neutrons) of uranium235 atoms. Fission is a nuclear reaction, the same reaction that takes place in an atom bomb in an uncontrolled way. Energy released from the complete fission of one kilogram uranium235 equals that produced by burning twenty five lakh kilograms of coal.

Instantaneously some points are apparent: Small amount of uranium-235 can produce large amount of energy in a nuclear reactor. In a coal-based power station, on the other hand, a huge amount of coal is to be burnt to produce required energy. Burning of coal releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere polluting environment and contributing to global warming.

The whole story is no different for other fossil fuels like oil or gas. Multifarious use of fossil fuels in exuberant amount specially in the developed countries is depleting the global fuel reserve quite fast. A steady supply of uranium on the other hand can be sustained globally for a much longer period. In addition, the nuclear energy is clean as no carbon dioxide is produced.

As multiple precautionary measures are taken in a nuclear reactor, accidents are quite rare. In the long fifty year history of these installations, only one fatal accident took place in 1986 in Chernobyl, Russia. Following the accident world-wide concern prompted the scientists and engineers to engage in designing absolute safe reactors and they succeeded. Besides, for decades there have been researches on safe disposal and management of radioactive waste products. At present safe and convenient methods are available. In a nuclear power reactor heat generated in the core is extracted outside by a coolant to a heat exchanger where steam is produced. The steam produced rotates the turbine of the generator and electricity is produced.

Across the globe, there are 443 nuclear power reactors in 32 countries (there are 520 such reactors in 37 countries if we take those under construction into consideration). Nuclear power accounts for approximately 17% of total electricity generation in the world. In France, 59 nuclear reactor units are in operation, accounting for approximately 78% of total electricity generation in that country. In Japan, 56 power reactors produce 35% of its electricity. In total 104 nuclear power reactors in US meet 19% of its demand for electricity. In India and China there are 16 and 9 power reactors producing 3% and 2% of each country's electricity, respectively.

The history of nuclear power reactor in Bangladesh or for that matter in this land is a long forty five year history of hope and despair -- a history of missed opportunities. In the early sixties a site for a reactor was selected at Rooppur in Pabna, on the banks of river Padma, near the Hardinge Bridge. As a silent evidence there stand some unused buildings on 294 acres acquired land -- land for the reactor complex, for the office and residential colony. The people of these lands were evacuated, compensation was paid and their rehabilitation in other villages was done. After all these activities, could anybody even imagine that nothing would see the light there even after long four decades?

There have been techno-economic viability study on the nuclear power reactor in Bangladesh several times. Multiple feasibility studies and surveys were carried out. The specific plans for the reactor were approved many times nationally and internationally. In order to look for financial assistance for the implementation of the project, negotiations with different countries were carried out. The possible site of the reactor, the brand, class and power of the reactor were chosen. Although the prospect of building the reactor became bright several times, for either national or international reasons the implementation of the project never actually started.

In the meantime, Bangladesh has been long preparing herself for the nuclear power reactor. Under the auspices of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, a skilled and trained manpower was developed. Bangladesh passed the Radiation Safety Bill and signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Safeguard Agreement and other protocols. Bangladesh signed bilateral treaty for peaceful use of atomic energy with many countries.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has long been supporting Bangladesh for building a nuclear power reactor. IAEA is still eager to extend its helping hand to Bangladesh if she decides to have one. It may be mentioned here that in 1983 a nuclear research reactor for research and radioisotope production was commissioned at Savar and has been operating successfully since. Thus although on a small scale, our scientists, engineers and technologists could have some first-hand experience of operation of a reactor.

There is no doubt that the initial cost of building a nuclear power reactor is high. However, as its fuel consumption as well as fuel cost is low, it can be economically viable in the long run. Reactor fuel will be available in the world market in the years to come. Bangladesh has completed most of the national or international formalities and protocols to implement nuclear power programs on its land.

Bangladesh is a country of immense possibilities. In spite of all the odds the country is progressing impressively. The demand of energy in general and electricity in particular is rising fast. To meet this increasing demand of electricity, building a nuclear reactor is the only viable alternative. For its financing, national or foreign sources should be explored -- native or foreign non-government entrepreneurs may be encouraged to invest. Whoever be the investor, the government will have to play a significant role considering safety, fuel and some international sensitivities. We have been dreaming of nuclear power for long. For building a nuclear power reactor what is most needed is the political will. We are optimistic to see the reflection of the political will in the speech of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Once again we have started dreaming.

The writer is a nuclear physicist and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, National University.