Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility—the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant—is approaching a critical milestone, after a long and complex journey amid years of construction delays.
Authorities now expect the long-awaited fuel loading licence for Unit 1 to be issued as early as next week, potentially paving the way for electricity generation by February or March 2027.
The project, located in Pabna district, represents the country’s most ambitious energy initiative to date. Developed with technical and financial assistance from Russia, the plant is expected to significantly ease Bangladesh’s persistent power shortages once operational.
Although uranium fuel for the first unit arrived from Russia nearly two years ago, progress has been gradual.
Final regulatory hurdles
Before uranium fuel can be loaded into the reactor, approval must be granted by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA), under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency. While a fuel loading ceremony had initially been scheduled for April 7, unresolved regulatory observations have temporarily stalled the process.
Mahbubur Rahman, project director for Nuclear Regulatory Infrastructure at BAERA, said inspections have already been completed, with a final review now underway in Dhaka.
“We have identified a few remaining gaps and asked the project authorities to address them,” he said. “Safety, security, and safeguards will not be compromised under any circumstances. Once these issues are resolved, we expect to issue the licence next week.”
Officials noted that even after the licence is granted, it will take at least 15 days for IAEA experts to arrive and conduct their independent safety assessments before fuel loading can proceed.
Safety first approach
Project officials insist that all regulatory observations are being addressed with the highest priority. Saikat Ahmed, spokesperson for the Rooppur project, emphasized that no step will be taken without full compliance.
“This is a nuclear facility, so there is zero tolerance for risk,” he said. “We will only proceed with fuel loading after every observation has been thoroughly reviewed and resolved.”
The commissioning licence remains pending due to these outstanding issues. However, authorities remain optimistic that the process will move forward soon.
Mahmudul Hasan, chairman of BAERA, indicated that the remaining concerns are minor and could be resolved within days. “We expect approval to follow shortly after,” he said, adding that fuel loading may be delayed by only a few days beyond the originally planned date.
Timeline for power generation
Once fuel loading begins, the plant will enter the physical start-up phase—a complex process that typically takes around ten months before reaching full production capacity.
“If fuel loading can be completed within April, Unit 1 could begin supplying electricity to the national grid by February or March 2027,” Saikat Ahmed said.
Unit 1 is designed to produce 1,200 megawatts of electricity, with an identical second unit expected to double the plant’s total capacity to 2,400 megawatts.
A long and costly journey
Construction of the Rooppur plant began in 2017 under a bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Russia. The project’s estimated cost stands at $12.6 billion (approximately Tk1.13 lakh crore), making it the most expensive infrastructure project in the country’s history.
Originally scheduled for completion in 2022, the project has faced multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions linked to the Russia–Ukraine war. As a result, the deadline has been extended to December 2027.
Loan repayment for the project is set to begin in September 2028, although officials have indicated that this timeline could also be revised if necessary.
Progress on second unit
While Unit 1 nears commissioning, construction of Unit 2 is also advancing steadily. More than 70 percent of the work has already been completed, with full construction expected by the end of next year.
Project insiders say the entire facility is likely to be fully operational by the end of 2028, when the second unit is connected to the grid.
Local expectations and national impact
Residents of Pabna remain hopeful that the plant will soon begin delivering on its promise. Many see it as a transformative project that could stabilize Bangladesh’s energy supply and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
“This project is vital for the country’s future,” said retired professor Abul Kalam Azad. “We are eager to see it start generating electricity, but safety must come first.”
Energy experts also note that nuclear power will play a crucial role in diversifying Bangladesh’s energy mix as demand continues to rise alongside economic growth.
Looking ahead
With regulatory approval now seemingly within reach, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant stands on the brink of transitioning from construction to operation. While challenges remain, officials say the project is finally entering its most decisive phase.
If timelines hold, Bangladesh could see its first nuclear-generated electricity flowing into the grid within the next year—marking a historic step in the nation’s energy journey.
