The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the most expensive project in the country’s history, is now at the final stage of power generation. In the meantime, construction and necessary testing of the plant’s first unit have been completed. Fuel will be loaded into the plant next month. Officials from the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) and the Ministry of Science and Technology said at least 300 megawatts of electricity from Rooppur are expected to be added to the national grid by June.
Experts say Bangladesh has long been facing a gas shortage. The Middle East conflict could further intensify the gas supply constraints affecting electricity generation. In such a situation, bringing Rooppur into production could help address a significant portion of the power deficit and substantially reduce load shedding.
Officials involved with the Rooppur project said all major tests of the first unit, including hot run and cold run, have been successfully completed. Inspection activities are now underway, followed by fuel loading, then the power startup phase. Initially, the goal is to supply 300MW of electricity to the national grid. If everything proceeds as planned, the first unit is expected to add 1,200MW of electricity to the grid by December.
Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam visited the power plant yesterday. During the visit, he said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant would play a transformative and significant role in the country. It was the minister’s first official visit to the Rooppur project after assuming office. He said the plant would become a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s energy security. The high-tech facility will significantly increase the country’s power generation capacity and help ensure sustainable energy management.
Despite its potential benefits, the project has faced questions regarding construction costs, safety measures, and other issues. However, energy sector stakeholders acknowledged that once implemented and operational, the plant would help address the country’s electricity supply challenges and reduce dependence on gas-based power generation.
According to project sources, the initial construction cost of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was estimated at BDT 1.13 trillion. The cost has now risen to nearly BDT 1.38 trillion. Most recently, the project cost was increased by BDT 255.92 billion. Delays were attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, and other global disruptions that delayed the delivery of equipment and repeated delays in production due to testing.
Project officials said the implementation period had to be extended as the work could not be completed within the stipulated time. A decision to extend the deadline was taken in February 2024. Under the original contract, the first unit was scheduled for completion in October 2023 and the second unit in October 2024. Under the revised schedule, the first unit is now set for completion in December 2026 and the second unit in December 2027. Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission signed the revised agreement with the Russian contractor on June 20 last year.
Speaking to Bonik Barta about the overall progress of the project, Science and Technology Ministry Secretary Anwar Hossain said, “All necessary activities are being advanced to bring the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant into operation. Fuel will be loaded at the plant in April. By June, around 30 percent of the first unit’s capacity will be generated, meaning 300MW will be added to the national grid. Gradually, by December, 1,200MW will be connected to the grid. Meanwhile, PGCB has already prepared the grid line. Coordination is underway with BPDB for electricity supply operations. The frequency and load management of electricity will be tested in phases.”
During the summer season, Bangladesh records an annual electricity demand of around 16,500MW. To meet this demand, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has to rely heavily on furnace oil–based power plants alongside gas-fired plants. Particularly during periods of peak electricity demand, the use of costly fuel oil–based plants significantly increases power generation costs. In summer, the country faces an additional demand of at least 2,500–3,000MW of electricity. If the Rooppur plant becomes operational and can supply at least 1,200MW, it will reduce dependence on expensive fuel-based power plants. This would also lower BPDB’s generation costs. The power utility has already completed the necessary preparations to receive electricity from Rooppur, while Power Grid Bangladesh PLC has finished the construction of all transmission lines associated with the project.
In this regard, Dr Zahidul Hasan, managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited, told Bonik Barta, “We’ve successfully completed the hot run, cold run, and all other tests required for fuel loading. All tests were completed last month. Currently, some equipment is being opened and inspected to ensure that everything is functioning perfectly. The inspection process is expected to be completed within this month. If all safety tests are passed, fuel loading could begin in the next month.”