Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant’s First Unit Expected to Begin Operation in November: Power Minister

Bangladesh is moving closer to launching a major milestone in its energy sector as the first unit of the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin operation in November, according to the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku.

The minister made the announcement on Friday morning during a briefing with journalists following an inspection visit to the headquarters of Power Grid Bangladesh PLC (PGCB) in the Aftabnagar area of the capital. He said that preparations are actively underway to meet the operational timeline, though he acknowledged that limited time remains and coordination among relevant agencies is crucial to ensure timely completion.
 

Tuku emphasized that the government is prioritizing synchronized efforts across all stakeholders involved in the project. He stated that bringing the first unit into operation within November is achievable, provided that ongoing technical and administrative tasks progress without interruption.
 

During the discussion, the minister also addressed broader challenges in the country’s power sector, particularly the financial strain caused by capacity charges. He noted that these issues have created a significant burden on the national economy, a situation inherited from previous administrations. However, he clarified that immediate policy decisions cannot be made, as many of these matters are tied to legal agreements currently under review by the Ministry of Law.
 

According to him, authorities are carefully examining existing contracts to determine appropriate measures within legal boundaries. Any necessary adjustments will be implemented after thorough evaluation of the agreements.
 

The minister further highlighted a structural imbalance in the country’s power system, pointing out that while electricity generation and transmission capacities have increased significantly, distribution infrastructure has not developed at the same pace. As a result, uninterrupted electricity supply cannot always be guaranteed in several regions, despite stable generation and transmission conditions.

He explained that earlier expansion efforts in the power sector aimed to ensure electricity access to nearly every household. However, the lack of proper coordination among generation, transmission, and distribution systems has created inefficiencies.
 

Tuku also criticized unplanned installation of distribution lines, stating that it has contributed to prolonged outages in some areas. He identified the distribution network as the primary bottleneck in the power supply chain and said discussions with PGCB officials focused on identifying practical solutions to these ongoing issues.
 

The government, he added, is working to strengthen coordination among all segments of the power sector to improve reliability and ensure more stable electricity supply across the country.