Power Delayed, Promise Intact

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh's most ambitious infrastructure project, is still facing delays, slowed by sanctions on Russia, blocked payments, and equipment delivery setbacks. Hopes now rest on fuel loading beginning in December 2025, if the IAEA gives its approval. Despite lacking global oversight, the project has managed to avoid cost overruns. But without clear communication and strong leadership, progress has stalled. Even so, many still believe Rooppur can help power a more secure and self-reliant energy future for Bangladesh.

- Mollah Amzad Hossain

The long-anticipated start of operations at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), Bangladesh's most ambitious and costly infrastructure project to date, may be pushed back once again. Still, hopes are high that fuel loading for the first 1,200 MW unit could begin by December this year, pending a final round of inspections and sign-off by a team of global and local experts. Even if that milestone is reached, it will take at least another 12 months before the unit is provisionally handed over and commercial operations can begin. Full synchronization and production at designed capacity might not happen until the end 2026. In the meantime, preparations for completion of construction and installation of equipment and accessories in the second unit are expected to move forward.

Across the globe, 35 countries have already entered the nuclear power club. Bangladesh and Turkey are now in a quiet race to become the 36th. Turkey, using the same VVER-1200 reactor technology, is building a 2,400 MW plant and also has its sights set on beginning test runs this December.

According to officials at the contractor and the Nuclear Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (NPGCBL), while groundwork for Rooppur began back in 2011, actual construction didn't get underway until 2017. The second unit followed about nine months later. Now, the first 1,200 MW unit is in its final stretch, with testing and inspection activities in full swing. Construction on the second unit is also moving ahead steadily.

Industry insiders emphasize that the project has remained under strict international oversight from day one, in keeping with global protocols for the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Both the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Bangladesh's own Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority are supervising progress. As part of this tightly controlled process, the IAEA must grant final clearance before any fuel can be loaded into the reactor.