Bangladesh is set to enter a historic new phase in its energy sector as uranium fuel loading begins at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. The official inauguration of the process is scheduled for Tuesday (April 28) in the afternoon, marking the country’s entry into the global league of nuclear power–producing nations.
According to officials, the uranium loading ceremony will take place at around 3:30 PM. The Ministry of Science and Technology has described this milestone as a transformative moment for Bangladesh’s power sector.
The nuclear power plant, built with Russian assistance, uses advanced third-generation VVER-1200 reactors. These reactors are equipped with modern safety systems, including an automatic core-catcher, designed to withstand major natural disasters, including earthquakes.
Sources from the project said that a total of 163 uranium fuel assemblies will be loaded into the reactor, each containing 15 fuel rods. The entire loading process is expected to take between 30 to 45 days. Once completed, the Nuclear Fission process will begin, generating heat to produce steam, which will drive turbines to generate electricity.
Earlier, on April 16, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority granted the commissioning license for the first unit, paving the way for this crucial step.
Following the fuel loading, a phased commissioning process will begin. Authorities expect to start supplying test electricity to the national grid by August. Once fully operational, the two units of the plant will generate a combined 2,400 megawatts of electricity.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, constructed at a cost of approximately $12.65 billion along the banks of the Padma River, is being implemented with financial and technical support from Russia. Experts believe that once operational, the plant will play a vital role in meeting the country’s growing electricity demand and ensuring long-term energy security.
