Bangladesh has officially embarked on the final stage of its journey toward nuclear energy as fuel loading commenced at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) today (28 April).
The process of loading uranium into the reactor of the country’s maiden nuclear plant began at 3:00pm. With this historic step, Bangladesh joins the club of nuclear power-generating nations as the 33rd member.
Delivering the welcome speech at the inauguration ceremony, Science and Technology Secretary Anwar Hossain described the day as the realisation of a long-cherished dream.
“Bangladesh is progressing rapidly across all sectors. The Rooppur project will accelerate our sustainable development. It has been a unique milestone and an immensely challenging project to execute,” he said.
Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam noted that the fuel-loading marked a “glorious chapter” in the nation’s development history, emphasising its role in ensuring energy security, industrial expansion, and the growth of a technology-based economy.
Rehan Asif Assad, adviser to the prime minister, hailed the achievement as a demonstration of both international cooperation and domestic capability.
“This project is not just about formal progress; it paves the way for a science-based, self-reliant economy. We aim to build a self-reliant Bangladesh by harnessing the innovative power of science and technology,” he said, while congratulating the project’s scientists and officials.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, located in Pabna, features two units of advanced third-generation VVER-1200 technology, each with a capacity of 1,200 MW.
Physical construction of the plant was followed by rigorous commissioning activities according to international standards, leading to today’s physical start-up.
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, this phase involves initiating controlled nuclear fission reactions.
The reactor’s capacity will be increased incrementally through various testing stages.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission stated that the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be able to connect to the national grid once fuel loading is completed and the reactor reaches about 30–35% capacity.
About 10 months after the start of fuel loading, 1,200 MW of electricity will be added to the national grid.
Similarly, when the second unit becomes operational, a total of 2,400 MW of electricity will be added to the national grid.
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