Bangladesh is preparing to begin loading nuclear fuel at its flagship Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on 28 April, marking a major milestone in bringing the country’s first nuclear facility online.
Officials say Prime Minister Tareque Rahman is expected to inaugurate the fuel loading, with senior representatives from Rosatom, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Russian government due to attend the event.
Md Anwar Hossain, secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology, told Just Energy News that final procedures are being completed ahead of the 28 April operation — a critical stage before commissioning.
“The initial electricity generation from Unit 1 could begin within three months of the process starting, by the end of July or early August,” he said.
Around 300MW is expected to be generated in the early stages, with full output to follow gradually by January 2027, he added.
Earlier, the project’s director, Dr Kabir Hossain, confirmed that the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority has already granted commissioning licences and personnel authorisations for Unit 1.
Once operational, the plant is expected to ease chronic electricity shortages and reduce Bangladesh’s reliance on costly imported liquid fuels — a key concern amid global energy price volatility linked to the Israel–Iran conflict.
However, the project has been overshadowed by mounting financial and scheduling pressures.
Originally approved in 2016, the Russian-backed scheme has missed its initial completion deadline and is now set for significant revision. The Planning Commission is preparing to increase the total project cost by Tk26,181 crore, pushing the overall budget to around Tk1.40 lakh crore.
The rise is largely attributed to currency depreciation and escalating costs over the project’s nine-year implementation period. The Bangladeshi taka has weakened considerably against the US dollar since the original estimates were prepared, inflating repayment and procurement costs.
Russia’s state-backed lender is financing the bulk of the project through an $11.38bn loan, much of which has already been disbursed at less favourable exchange rates than initially projected.
Officials also point to additional expenses linked to technical upgrades, operational support contracts and infrastructure — including accommodation for foreign personnel — as contributing factors.
A 400kV transmission line has already been installed, ensuring the national grid is ready to receive power once generation begins.
The project has also faced external challenges, including supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine war and subsequent Western sanctions on Moscow.
Energy analysts warn that continued delays and rising costs could weigh on the project’s economic viability, particularly if electricity tariffs are not carefully structured. The Bangladesh Power Development Board is expected to finalise a power purchase agreement and tariff framework in consultation with regulators.
Even so, officials remain optimistic that the long-delayed project will mark a turning point in Bangladesh’s energy mix — provided it is delivered safely and within the revised timeline.