The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority has finally granted clearance to issue a license for fuel loading operations at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. It has been learned that fuel (uranium) loading in the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear is likely to take place by the end of April.
On Thursday, April 16, BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan expressed this optimism. According to him, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) has issued the commissioning license required to conduct fuel loading operations in the first unit of the nuclear power plant. This license has been granted based on observation and evaluation by national and international regulatory bodies. As a result, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission is now prepared to begin fuel loading activities in the plant’s first unit.
Fuel loading is a crucial step in the commissioning phase of a nuclear power plant. Through this process, nuclear fuel is installed in the reactor, followed by a series of tests conducted step by step to prepare for electricity generation. At the same time, monitoring, assessment, and review activities are carried out at various stages in accordance with national regulatory authorities and international standards. As these processes have been completed satisfactorily, the commissioning license for fuel loading has been issued.
Senior officials from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project and the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited were present at the time.
Earlier, due to the absence of BAERA’s license, the scheduled fuel (uranium) loading operation for the first unit on April 7 of the current month was postponed. Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Ministry of Science and Technology, preparations had been made to inaugurate the fuel loading activity on April 7. The inauguration was supposed to be conducted virtually from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although other preparations for the inauguration were completed, it was not possible to begin the fuel loading operation at that time.
The country’s most expensive project has now reached a visible stage after overcoming multiple complexities over a long period. The start of production has been delayed several times in the past. Although uranium fuel for the first unit was brought into the country from Russia nearly two years ago, it has not yet been used.
Before fuel loading, obtaining a license from BAERA under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency is mandatory. However, the inauguration date had been fixed earlier based on the availability of the heads of government of both countries (Bangladesh and Russia), before securing the fuel loading license, which created an awkward situation for the Ministry of Science and Technology.
In the current global context, concerns over an energy crisis are increasing. Particularly, due to conflict in the Middle East, uncertainty in energy supply has emerged, which may put pressure on Bangladesh’s gas and electricity sectors. In such a situation, experts view the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as an important alternative energy source.
Notably, the project—constructed under an agreement with Russia—has an estimated cost of 12.6 billion US dollars (approximately Tk 1,13,000 crore). The agreement was signed in 2013, and construction began in 2015.
Construction of the first unit has been completed, with a target to begin commercial production in the first half of 2027. Work on the second unit is ongoing and may be completed by the end of next year. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2028.
If everything proceeds as planned, 1,200 megawatts of electricity from the first unit and an additional 1,200 megawatts from the second unit will be added to the national grid. This will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s power generation system.
According to the plan, within approximately three months of the start of fuel loading, nuclear electricity generated from the first unit will be added to the national grid. Subsequently, through phased testing and capacity enhancement activities, a target has been set to begin transmitting electricity to the national grid at full capacity from the first unit by December. This progress of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to play a significant role in ensuring the country’s energy security and sustainable electricity generation.
DBTech/MTM/EK/OR
