Rooppur Nuclear Fuel Shipment Expected in Dhaka Tonight

A special cargo aircraft carrying nuclear fuel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is en route to Dhaka from Russia and is expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30pm on Friday, 2 October 2026. Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam confirmed the revised schedule after several changes to the planned arrival time.

Speaking to journalists on Friday afternoon, the minister said the aircraft had departed Russia and would reach Dhaka via Indian airspace. Preparations to receive the shipment at the airport have been completed. After landing, the nuclear fuel will be transported to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, under a special security arrangement.

According to project-related sources, the shipment is expected to reach Rooppur on Saturday, 3 October, if the transport proceeds as planned. The Bangladesh Army will provide security during the transportation.

Airspace Clearance Delays Shipment

The nuclear fuel shipment was initially scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on 24 September. However, the aircraft could not proceed according to the original schedule because permission to use Pakistani airspace was not obtained. An alternative route and a revised schedule were subsequently arranged.

The sensitive nuclear fuel is being transported by a special cargo aircraft under strict security measures. Coordination among the countries involved and clearance to use their airspace are important requirements for this type of shipment.

Nine Consignments Planned

Seven consignments are planned to supply fuel for Rooppur’s second unit, while two additional consignments are intended for the future refuelling of the first unit, bringing the total to nine.

Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has indicated that the fuel supply is targeted for completion by December 2026.

Fuel loading has already begun in the first unit. The additional fuel supply for the second unit is another important component of the project’s commissioning process. However, the arrival of nuclear fuel does not mean that electricity generation will begin immediately. Relevant tests, commissioning procedures and safety verifications must be completed before the plant can supply electricity to the national grid.

Safety Testing Continues for First Unit

Technical problems involving a safety valve previously delayed commissioning activities at the first unit. On 30 September, a high-pressure test of the pressure-operated relief valve (PORV) system at 16 megapascals was reported to have been completed successfully. However, project officials said three important tests remained before the unit could proceed to the initial stage of power generation.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being built with two VVER-1200 reactors. Each unit has a planned generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts, giving the plant a combined capacity of 2,400 megawatts when both units are operational.

Once the first unit successfully completes the required commissioning and safety tests, electricity generation is expected to proceed in stages before power is supplied to the national grid. Construction, fuel delivery and commissioning activities for the second unit are also continuing.

//DBTech/ DFR/ BV/MA//