Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant located at Rooppur in Ishwardi of Pabna has made significant progress towards initiating nuclear fission in its first unit after regulators approved the results of safety valve tests, paving the way for the next phase of commissioning.
If work proceeds according to plan, the plant could begin supplying electricity to the national grid on a trial basis as early as next month, project officials said.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has two units, each with a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW). Once both units are fully operational, they are expected to contribute a combined 2,400 MW to the national grid, diversify the country’s energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Officials concerned with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) said the initiation of heat production through nuclear fission in the first unit had initially been planned for September. However, technical defects identified during safety valve testing delayed the next stage of work.
Following two rounds of high-pressure testing, the results were submitted to the regulatory authority, which approved them last Thursday, the project officials said.
The tests assessed whether the control valves were functioning according to prescribed standards. Fire safety and radiation protection arrangements were also examined as part of the process.
The approval allows the project to proceed with further reactor commissioning activities. However, the officials said that achieving first criticality, gradually increasing reactor power, starting the turbine and supplying electricity to the national grid are separate stages, each requiring the completion of relevant technical and safety checks.
The next major milestone is ‘first criticality’, when a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is established inside the reactor. A series of tests and observations will follow – a process that could take around a month. Reactor power will then be increased gradually.
Initially, the plant is expected to supply around 300 MW to the national grid on a trial basis. Further testing and technical assessments will be required before the facility reaches commercial operation.
Built with technical assistance from Russia, Rooppur uses third-generation VVER-1200 reactor technology. Project estimates suggest that the plant could meet around 10 percent of Bangladesh’s electricity demand when both units will be operational at full capacity. Its actual contribution will depend on national demand, plant performance, maintenance schedules and grid conditions.
Unlike coal-, oil- or gas-fired power plants, nuclear facilities generate heat through the fission of uranium atoms rather than by burning fossil fuels. The heat produces steam, which drives a turbine connected to an electricity-generating system.
Rooppur is designed for an operational life of 60 years, potentially extendable by another 20 to 30 years, subject to technical upgrades, safety assessments and regulatory approval. Routine maintenance and fuel replacement will remain essential, with refuelling potentially required approximately every 18 months.
Sheikh Mohammad Touhidul Islam, joint secretary (Nuclear Power Wing) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, told BSS that Rooppur was not merely an electricity generation project but also a major opportunity to strengthen Bangladesh’s technological capabilities and develop skilled human resources.
He said the first unit was in the final stages of preparation for generation, while uranium for the second unit had also arrived at the project site.
He expressed hope that work could be completed ahead of schedule.
Additional Secretary of the ministry Abul Khair Md Akkas Ali said the plant could reshape Bangladesh’s electricity and economic landscape, supporting industrial production, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities.
Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain described Rooppur as a historic milestone for the country’s energy security and economic progress, highlighting its potential to support reliable electricity supplies and peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
The project has a long history, with feasibility studies and international cooperation initiatives dating back to the years following the independence. The arrival of nuclear fuel at the site in October 2023 marked a major step towards commissioning.
The BNP’s 2008 election manifesto also included a pledge to establish the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Similarly, the party’s 2026 election manifesto advocates for the continued peaceful use of nuclear energy in the power and energy sectors.
As the first unit approaches its initial operational milestone, Rooppur is expected to play an increasingly important role in Bangladesh’s long-term energy strategy, provided that all commissioning stages are completed in accordance with safety requirements and regulatory standards.
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s Nuclear Power Wing oversees and coordinates project progress on behalf of the government, while Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom provides technical assistance.
Cox’s Bazar Life Desk/BSS
Photo: Courtesy
