Nuclear Next: Rooppur Unit-1 Uranium Loading Set for 28 April
Final preparations have been completed to begin fuel (uranium) loading at Unit-1 of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, on 28 April. The date was finalized following discussions with all concerned stakeholders. According to the plan, the event is expected to be attended by Faqir Mahbub Anam, Minister to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology; Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad; Director General of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev; representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); and senior officials of the Russian government.
On 24 April, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Md. Anwar Hossain confirmed the schedule, expressing optimism that the commencement of uranium loading marks a historic advancement in the country’s power sector, as it is a critical step prior to commissioning the plant.
Officials stated that trial power generation from the first unit could begin within three months of the start of fuel loading. Initially, a target of around 300 megawatts has been set, with a phased increase to full capacity by January 2027.
Earlier, on 16 April, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) issued the commissioning license for Unit-1, which was formally handed over to the Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Dr. M. Moinul Islam. Prior to receiving the license, the fuel loading operation—originally scheduled for 7 April—had been postponed due to several critical technical issues.
Managing Director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), Dr. Zayedul Hasan, said that 52 specialists have obtained licenses to operate the plant after passing written, oral, and simulation-based examinations in line with international standards. These assessments were conducted with the participation of Russia’s regulatory authority Rostekhnadzor, technical organization VO Safety, and relevant experts.
He added that after fuel loading, a series of tests will be conducted in stages, followed by the preparation of the Final Safety Analysis Report. The entire commissioning process is expected to take approximately 10 to 11 months.
Meanwhile, to enhance public engagement ahead of fuel loading, a community courtyard meeting was held on 23 April in Char Sahapur of Ishwardi, Pabna. At the meeting, project authorities explained safety, environmental impact, and technical aspects of the project in an accessible manner to local residents.
Constructed at a cost of approximately $12.65 billion on the banks of the Padma River, the project includes two VVER-1200 reactors installed with assistance from Russia. Once both units become operational, the plant will have a total generation capacity of 2,400 megawatts, capable of meeting more than 10 percent of the country’s total electricity demand.
According to energy experts, amid volatility in the global energy market, the commissioning of this plant will help reduce the country’s power shortage and significantly ease dependence on imported fuels.
DBTech/IH/EK/OR
