Bangladesh enters nuclear power era as fuel loading begins at Rooppur

Highlights:

• Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant starts fuel loading
• Bangladesh joins nuclear power nations
• Grid supply due July–August
• Output to rise from 300 MW to 1,200 MW
• Alexey Likhachev hails milestone

Fuel loading has begun at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking the start of electricity generation from the facility’s first unit and Bangladesh’s formal entry into the ranks of nuclear power-producing nations.

With this development, Bangladesh has become the 33rd country in the world to generate electricity using nuclear energy.

However, electricity generated at the Rooppur plant will take some time to be supplied to the national grid. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, power from the plant is expected to be added to the grid by the last week of July or the first week of August.

During this initial phase, the plant is expected to supply around 300 megawatts of electricity. The ministry added that the first unit is likely to reach its full capacity of 1,200 megawatts by December or January.

“Today, Bangladesh has joined the group of nations that use peaceful nuclear energy as a reliable source of sustainable development. Undoubtedly, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will become a key element of the country’s energy system, said Alexey Likhachev, director general of Rosatom at the fuel loading inauguration today (28 April).
 
“For Rosatom, this project marks another important step in the development of the global nuclear industry and in strengthening friendly relations with our international partners. We are pleased to work together with our Bangladeshi friends in building a modern and reliable nuclear power plant and see strong prospects for further cooperation,” he added.