Staff Correspondent, Pabna – In a landmark achievement for the nation’s energy sector, Bangladesh has officially commenced the loading of nuclear fuel into the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).
The ceremony took place on Tuesday at the project site on the banks of the Padma River in Ishwardi, Pabna, marking the country’s formal entry into the elite global club of nuclear power users.
Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam inaugurated the fuel loading process at 3:00 PM. With this milestone, Bangladesh officially becomes the 33rd country in the world to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Timeline to Power Generation
According to project officials, the fuel loading process involves several technical phases and is expected to take approximately 45 days.
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Initial Grid Connection: Following successful tests, the first unit is projected to supply an initial 300 MW of electricity to the national grid by August 2026.
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Full Capacity: The unit will gradually scale up to its full capacity of 1,200 MW by early 2027.
Safety and International Cooperation
Speaking at the event, Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam emphasized that safety remains the government’s top priority. “Every step is being executed according to strict international standards. This project strengthens the historic ties between Dhaka and Moscow,” he stated.
Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), assured the public of the plant’s safety. He noted that the facility uses the advanced VVER-1200 reactor, which includes passive safety systems capable of withstanding extreme natural disasters.
Furthermore, Rosatom will handle the management of spent nuclear fuel, which will be transported back to Russia.
Rehan Asif Asad, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Science and Technology, described the day as “significant,” noting that Bangladesh has taken a massive leap in technological self-reliance.
The Science Behind the Power
The nuclear fuel, made of uranium, arrived in Bangladesh from Russia in late 2023. A total of 164 fuel bundles (including one spare) are currently stored at the site.
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Each fuel bundle contains 312 fuel rods.
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The rods are filled with tiny uranium oxide pellets (8-15mm in diameter).
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Once the 163 bundles are fully loaded into the reactor core, the plant can generate electricity continuously for 18 months before requiring a recharge.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), led by Director General Rafael Grossi, monitored the event virtually, confirming that the fuel accounting and safety protocols are under strict international supervision.