Rosatom Moves Ahead With Bangladesh Nuclear Plant Launch
Russia’s state-owned nuclear company Rosatom has begun loading nuclear fuel into the first reactor at the Rooppur power plant in Bangladesh, marking a key step toward commissioning.
Fuel loading is the initial phase of the reactor start-up process. It will be followed by reaching a minimum controlled power level and gradually increasing output until the plant begins supplying electricity to the national grid.
The Rooppur facility will have a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts, generated by two reactors. Once operational, Bangladesh will join more than 30 countries using nuclear energy to produce electricity.
The project is estimated to cost around $13bn, with Russia providing a state loan covering 90% of the total.
Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev said Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had confirmed government approval for the start-up of the first unit and the completion of the remaining construction.
Rosatom plans to commission the first unit by July 2026, with the second scheduled to follow in 2027.