DHAKA, Rabi'I 14, 1437, December 25, 2015, SPA -- Bangladesh's state-run Atomic Energy Commission signed a deal with Russia on Friday to set up two nuclear power plants, each with 1,200 megawatt capacity, an investment totalling $12.65 billion, a government official said. Work will begin early next year at Ruppur in Iswardi, 160 km (100 miles) from Dhaka, said Kamrul Islam Bhyian, spokesman for the ministry of science and technology. "Russia will finance up to 90 percent of the total cost as credit with an interest rate of Libor plus 1.75 percent," Bhyian told Reuters. Bangladesh will clear the total loan within 28 years with a 10-year grace period. The first power plant is expected to begin operating by 2022 and the second by 2023. --SPA 22:51 LOCAL TIME 19:51 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w