The international media brought attention of the global citizens on forbidden kingdom of North Korea at the start of 2016. North Korea has created quite a sensation when the state claimed that they've successfully tested Hydrogen bomb. So what's the real deal? The difference between Hydrogen and Atom bomb? While atom bomb is done through fission. A complex chain reaction by which a larger particle from uranium is broken into smaller particles creating huge energy. On the other hand, hydrogen bomb is created through chain reaction on fusion triggered by huge energy which is generated by atom bomb. So, hydrogen bomb is a kind of coated atom bomb.
A new dimension to the ongoing progress and development of Bangladesh has ushered with the recently signed agreement with Russia to build two nuclear power plants with combined generation capacity of 1,200 MW capacity for a total cost of USD 12.65 billion. 90% of the cost will be in the form of 28 years loan with 10 years moratorium period from Russia at LIBOR plus 1.75% pa. This indeed will be a milestone for a long standing historic friendship between Russia and Bangladesh.
Uninterrupted supply of power is an issue which can be treated as one of the major challenges for the economic growth of the country. Be it steel manufacturing unit, ready made garments factory, pharmaceutical factory, poultry, irrigation, cold storage etc. This hampers the smooth production on one and spoilage of raw material on the other. The efficiency is also negatively impacted due to break in the processes for power outage. It's true that power supply over the years in the country has improved significantly so has the demand for power due to pace of economic growth. As a result cost of goods gets higher due to the reasons above. There is the need for energy to face the challenges for growth but at the same time balancing with environmental impact also is of the same and critical importance. The inconclusive meeting held in Paris on the carbon emission has put the world towards more challenging situation. There are primarily three sources to meet the requirement for power generation namely fossil fuel, renewable and atomic energy. All of these power generation emits gas known as Greenhouse, which relates to the emission of carbon in the environment during the generation of power. The more emission means more pollution. The effect of global warming is felt more acute and with the rise in level of oceans, we may become one of the countries to submerge. It may be mentioned here that this Christmas and New Year celebration were without ice in Northern Hemisphere which is quite unnatural. Winter was also like spring here in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh ranks among the top 3 growth economy in 2015 as per CNN Money.
The country could experience an exponential growth if few crippling issues which act as deterrent to growth can be removed effectively. Like any other developing economy, the country is energy starved and this slows down the growth momentum. So far the major source of energy to continue the growth momentum is based on fossil fuel. Natural gas being the number one and then HFO/Diesel based power plant. The renewable energy has yet to show its full potential. Annual demand of 48 terra-watt hours, twh power in 2012 was met in the following manner, 42 twh from natural gas and 6 twh from oil. The generation demand is expected to rise to almost three times within next
12/15 years from the present generation capacity of 10,000 MW.
The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 in Soviet Union or Fukushima Daini disaster in  2011 in Japan, the worst two nuclear power plant episodes have genuinely created a fear factor. Lack of safety and security obviously can create a dampening effect of historic proportion. But does it really take away the benefits derived from using the nuclear plants? The cost of setting up a nuclear power plant requires huge amount of capital outlay, long time to construct and commissioning. With all these apparent challenges along with fear of unknown, does it really make any sense to go for nuclear power
plants?
Uranium is the primary source for nuclear power energy. Discovered by Klaproth in Germany in 1789, the element was named after the newly discovered planet, Uranium. It was only given the status of a mineral in Australia in 1894. It was as a source of radium for cancer therapy till 1938, when the heat released was used as energy and later the dropping of atom bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The first land based nuclear power station connected to grid was used in 1956 at Calder Hall, UK.
What is the level of impact on environment from nuclear power is compared to fossil fuel based and hydro electric? Average fatalities per terrawatt- year as per a study shows the following : LPG 3,280; Hydro 883; Oil 418; Coal 342; Gas 85 and Nuclear 8. So the death due to Nuclear power is primarily due to the lack of proper safety and the post accident management. The victims in gas leakage from Union Carbide plant in December of 1984 in Bhopal, India caused around 8,000 death against 31 died of Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Even the crippling and disabled numbers in Bhopal were more than in Chernobyl. While there were no fatalities in case of Japanese disaster case. The impact  of emission from production of electricity as per IAEA 2000 report, emission of carbon dioxide stand as follow (gram CO2 equivalent) : Coal 1,017; Gas 575; Hydro 236 while there is no direct impact from Hydro, Solar, Wind and Nuclear. Hence, the large usage of fossil based power in fact is polluting out environment. Moreover, the present struggle in this world is primarily due to the motive to capture the fossil fuel under the control of mighty. The plutonium produced as a waste product can now be placed in deep geological disposal system. A study conducted in Australia shows the cost comparison among various sources of energy.
Australian Dollar (AU) per Kilo Watt. In case of coal it is 90,000 while in case of Nuclear it ranges between 30,000 to 60,000 depending on the size of the plant.
Safety aspects are of highest importance for nuclear power plants. However, the safety and security comparably longer tenor to complete these projects will not be able to cater to the short term needs.  It's a government to government agreement and Russia is among one of the top producer and users of nuclear power. Moreover, as a signatory to Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, the uranium be used for power plant will have the potent to generate power.
The way we are advancing, it may be so that not in very distant future nano technology will enable replacement of Uranium with a very affordable and easily available product say table salt.
The commissioning of Bibiana power projects, the power purchase agreement with Indian Government and various Indian Government and Corporates (recently the signing with Tripura State Government for supply of power at BDT 6 per MW is an example), BMRE of Ashuganj and Shiddhirganj projects certainly will give us the much required breathing space from energy starvation. The power plant in Rampal inside Sundarban may not disturb the bio diversity and ecology as suggested by a group of specialist against a strong opposition group including conservationist, but for sure it will reverse the coastline of Bangladesh. The cutting of trees for smooth movement of coal and discharge thereon may bring a permanent change in the coastline. With the absence of natural protection from the mangrove trees, the country eventually may become exposed to the wrath and wishes of
Bay of Bengal, may be evidencing tidal waves in Dhaka as well. Who knows?
Initiating nuclear power certainly opens the way for capacity building of the nation as a whole.  Keeping all perspective nuclear Power deal may usher a new dynamic, power efficient and towards green Bangladesh.
   
The writer, a banker by profession, has worked both in local and overseas market with various foreign and local banks in different positions