Bangladesh has officially begun loading nuclear fuel into the reactor of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a historic step in the country’s energy sector. With this development, Bangladesh becomes the 33rd country in the world to use nuclear power.
The fuel loading process was inaugurated on Tuesday afternoon under strict security. Speaking at the অনুষ্ঠানে, Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam described the moment as “historic,” emphasizing that safety has been given the highest priority throughout the project.
The ceremony also featured remarks from Prime Minister’s Science and Technology Advisor Rehan Asif Asad and Director General of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev.
Additionally, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi joined the event virtually.
Once uranium fuel is inserted into the reactor vessel, it will generate heat through nuclear reactions. This heat will convert water into steam, which will then spin turbines to produce electricity.
The fuel loading has begun in the first unit of the plant, which is located in Pabna. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, this step represents the final phase before commercial power generation begins.
Trial electricity production will begin in stages, and around 300 megawatts of electricity is expected to be supplied to the national grid by August.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is the largest single infrastructure project in Bangladesh’s history. It is being implemented by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The project includes two units, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, being constructed by Russia’s contractor Atomstroyexport.
The plant was officially recognized as a nuclear facility after the arrival of uranium fuel in October 2023. The first shipment arrived in Dhaka by air from Russia on September 28, 2023, followed by additional consignments. These were later transported under tight security to the Rooppur site, where they had been stored until now.
Officials say the introduction of nuclear fuel marks the beginning of Bangladesh’s practical use of nuclear energy. Beyond supplying electricity to Pabna, the plant is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s broader economic and social development.
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