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Projected Capacity Ramp-up
Estimated timeline for reaching commercial power output capacity
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Bangladesh enters nuclear era as Rooppur plant prepares for fuel loading
Bangladesh is set to enter the club of nuclear power-producing nations as the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant prepares to begin uranium fuel loading in its first unit, marking a major milestone after a decade of construction and technical development. The commissioning follows the issuance of a licence on Apr 16, allowing fuel insertion into the reactor core under strict oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which verified compliance with safety requirements. Fuel loading at the first unit, located in Ishurdi Upazila of Pabna, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Authorities said the process will take at least 45 days to complete. Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam recently said the activity would begin in the afternoon, calling it a historic moment for the country’s energy sector. He added that the project is progressing under the direct guidance of the prime minister. Officials said experimental electricity generation from the first unit may begin within three months of fuel loading, likely by late July or early August. Initial output is expected at around 300 megawatts to the national grid, with gradual scaling towards full capacity by January 2027. The project timeline has been revised several times since construction began in 2017 due to global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Key officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom, and the IAEA, are expected to attend the fuel loading ceremony. Former Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission chairman Shawkat Akbar described fuel loading as the most critical stage of the project, marking the transition to “first criticality”, where a controlled chain reaction begins to produce energy. According to Nuclear Power Company Bangladesh Ltd Managing Director Zayedul Hasan, 59 Bangladeshi specialists have already obtained international certification to operate the plant. Around 5,000 Russian and 20,000 Bangladeshi workers are currently involved in the project, with operations expected to be gradually handed over to local experts. Safety experts have stressed strict adherence to IAEA protocols, noting that while the process may take longer, it ensures operational security. Public awareness activities have also been conducted in nearby areas, including Char Shahapur, to address concerns and counter misinformation over the plant’s safety and environmental impact. Built at a cost ...
Energy & Power Magazine | Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Begins Fuel ...
Bangladesh is set to enter a new chapter in its energy journey as uranium fuel loading at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins on Tuesday afternoon. The formal inauguration of the fuel loading process is scheduled for 3:35 pm. The program will be chaired by Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, with representatives from Rosatom and the International Atomic Energy Agency expected to attend. Officials hope that around 30% of electricity generation from the plant’s 1,200 MW capacity first unit could begin supplying the national grid by August. However, full commercial operation will require about 14 months. The project had initially planned fuel loading in 2022 and power generation by late 2023, but faced multiple delays. One of the major setbacks came after the Russia-Ukraine War, when sanctions disrupted equipment supply, including a critical substation from Siemens. Later, a Chinese contractor was appointed to complete the work. Delays in transmission line construction by Power Grid Company of Bangladesh also contributed to postponements. According to project media focal point Saikat Ahmed, all preparations for fuel loading have been completed. Following the loading, electricity generation will begin gradually—starting at 3% capacity and increasing step-by-step to 5%, 10%, 20%, and eventually 30%. After about four months, when generation reaches 30%, electricity will be supplied to the national grid. Full-scale production is expected roughly 10 months later, meaning the first unit could enter commercial operation by June 2027, if all goes as planned. The second unit is expected to follow about a year later. The plant generates electricity through nuclear fission, where uranium atoms split to produce heat. This heat converts water into high-pressure steam, which spins turbines to generate electricity in a controlled chain reaction. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to run continuously for long periods. With a total estimated cost of $12.65 billion—most of it financed by Russia—the project is the largest in Bangladesh’s history. One key advantage of nuclear power is long-term price stability, as fuel costs remain relatively over decades. However, the final electricity tariff has not yet been determined, according to the Bangladesh Power Development Board. Nuclear energy is widely considered both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Once the plant becomes operational, Bangladesh aims to reduce reliance on expensive o...
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Fuel Loading | First fuel loading at ...
Fresh fuel loading at unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is set to begin on April 28, 2026, marking a historic step toward carbon-free electricity generation. The Bangladesh Atomic ...
Bangladesh starts fuelling its first nuclear power station
Bangladesh will begin loading uranium fuel into its first nuclear power station on Tuesday, a key step towards bringing the 2,400 megawatt plant online to ease pressure on the overstretched power grid. Construction began on the $11 billion Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in 2017, with initial power generation of around 300 MW hoped to come online by August, before full production in late 2027.
