Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Ishwardi, Pabna, has moved a step closer to initiating nuclear fission in its first unit after regulators approved the results of safety valve tests, paving the way for the next phase of commissioning.
If work proceeds as planned, the plant could begin supplying electricity to the national grid on a trial basis as early as next month, project officials said.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has two units, each with a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW). Once fully operational, the two units are expected to supply a combined 2,400 MW, diversify Bangladesh’s energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Officials concerned with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) said the initiation of heat production through nuclear fission in the first unit had initially been scheduled for September. However, technical defects identified during safety valve testing delayed the process.
Following two rounds of high-pressure testing, the results were submitted to the regulatory authority, which approved them last Thursday. The tests assessed whether the control valves met prescribed standards, while fire safety and radiation protection arrangements were also examined.
The approval allows the project to proceed with further reactor commissioning activities. However, officials stressed that achieving first criticality, gradually increasing reactor power, starting the turbine and supplying electricity to the grid are separate stages, each requiring technical assessments and safety checks.
First criticality will mark the establishment of a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction inside the reactor. A series of tests and observations will follow, potentially taking around a month, before reactor power is gradually increased.
Initially, the plant is expected to supply around 300 MW to the national grid on a trial basis. Further testing will be required before commercial operation begins.
Built with Russian technical assistance, Rooppur uses third-generation VVER-1200 reactor technology. Project estimates suggest that the plant could meet around 10 percent of Bangladesh’s electricity demand when both units operate at full capacity, although its actual contribution will depend on demand, plant performance, maintenance and grid conditions.
Unlike conventional coal-, oil- or gas-fired power plants, nuclear facilities generate heat through the fission of uranium atoms. The heat produces steam that drives turbines connected to electricity generators.
Rooppur is designed for an operational life of 60 years, potentially extendable by another 20 to 30 years, subject to technical upgrades, safety assessments and regulatory approval. Routine maintenance and fuel replacement will remain essential, with refuelling potentially required approximately every 18 months.
Sheikh Mohammad Touhidul Islam, joint secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Nuclear Power Wing, told BSS that Rooppur was not merely an electricity generation project but also an opportunity to strengthen Bangladesh’s technological capabilities and develop skilled human resources.
He said the first unit was in the final stages of preparation for generation and that uranium for the second unit had also arrived at the project site. He expressed hope that work could be completed ahead of schedule.
Additional Secretary Abul Khair Md Akkas Ali said the plant could transform Bangladesh’s electricity and economic landscape by supporting industrial production, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities.
Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain described Rooppur as a historic milestone for the country’s energy security and economic progress, highlighting its potential to ensure reliable electricity supplies and advance the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
The project’s history dates back to the years following Bangladesh’s independence, when feasibility studies and international cooperation initiatives began. The arrival of nuclear fuel at the site in October 2023 marked a major step towards commissioning.
The BNP’s 2008 election manifesto included a pledge to establish the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Its 2026 election manifesto also advocates the continued peaceful use of nuclear energy in the power and energy sectors.
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s Nuclear Power Wing oversees and coordinates the project on behalf of the government, while Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom provides technical assistance.
As the first unit approaches its initial operational milestone, Rooppur is expected to play an increasingly important role in Bangladesh’s long-term energy strategy, provided all commissioning stages meet the required safety and regulatory standards.
