Rooppur Nuclear Plant Enters Fuel Loading Phase, Marking Bangladesh’s Nuclear Power Era

Bangladesh has officially entered the nuclear power generation phase as fuel loading begins at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The milestone marks the country’s formal entry into the global group of nuclear energy-producing nations.

The uranium fuel assemblies, which arrived in the country in 2023, were loaded into the reactor core during a ceremonial process on Tuesday (April 28). With this development, Bangladesh becomes the 33rd country in the world to utilize nuclear energy for power generation.

Officials said that the project is now moving through its final technical stages before electricity generation begins. According to project timelines, the plant is expected to supply around 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by mid-August, following successful completion of subsequent operational phases.
 

The fuel loading ceremony was joined virtually by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who extended his best wishes for Bangladesh’s nuclear energy journey. The head of Russia’s Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, also reaffirmed continued technical support for the project.
 

Authorities stated that international safety standards have been strictly followed throughout the project to ensure maximum operational security. They expressed confidence that the plant will not only enhance electricity generation but also contribute to energy security and economic development.
 

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has a total planned capacity of 2,400 megawatts from two units. If all processes remain on schedule, the plant is expected to gradually increase output, reaching full capacity in the coming phases.