Mina, a schoolteacher in a small village by the Padma, held her daughter close as the lights went out again. The children tried to read by flickering candles, their small faces full of frustration and hope. Then the river outside glowed with a golden light, and Mina imagined a future where every home, every classroom, and every workshop had steady light. She felt, deep in her heart, that somewhere beyond the horizon, Rooppur was awakening, quietly carrying the promise of a brighter, safer life for her family and her village.
The fuel loading of Unit 1 at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, scheduled to begin on April 7, will mark more than a technical achievement. It represents a turning point in Bangladesh's effort to strengthen its energy independence.
For many years, the livelihoods of 170 million Bangladeshis have been shaped by external forces, including developments in the Persian Gulf, decisions taken by oil exporting groups, and fluctuations in global commodity markets. This energy dependence has limited the country's control over its own economic path.The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, developed with the technology of Russia, offers a way to reduce this vulnerability by providing a stable and reliable source of energy.
However, if Bangladesh is committed to reaching upper middle income status, one plant will not be enough. The same strategic reasoning that led to the development of Rooppur now points to the need for further expansion.
The figures that define Bangladesh's energy landscape reflect more than simple measurement, as they reveal underlying structural weakness. With per capita electricity consumption at around 476 kilowatt hours, the country remains behind not only advanced economies but also several nations affected by conflict. This level of access does not support a pathway to sustained prosperity.
Historical experience shows that no country has moved from an agrarian base to an industrial economy without building a large, dependable, and stable energy system. For many years, however, Bangladesh has relied heavily on imported fossil fuels to sustain its grid. Natural gas and oil products continue to dominate electricity generation. What once appeared manageable now carries far greater risk in the present geopolitical environment.
Global energy dynamics have become increasingly tense. Ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and the continuing effects of the European energy crisis all demonstrate how dependence on fossil fuels can affect national security. Analysts have indicated that if this war escalates further, it could raise oil prices to as much as 200 dollars per barrel within a short period.
For a country that imports nearly all of its crude oil, such increases have immediate consequences. Rising prices place direct pressure on public finances and intensify the broader economic challenges associated with external dependence.
Bangladesh has already felt the sting of this volatility. Between 2021 and 2023, electricity tariffs surged by 75% like a brutal burden on households and industries. The Power Development Board required subsidies approaching Tk 40,000 crore in a single fiscal year, contributing directly to the dollar crunch that forced Dhaka to seek International Monetary Fund assistance. Economists say heavy dependence on imported energy has rendered the economy highly vulnerable to global price shocks. In this context, the Rooppur plant can be used as a hedge against geopolitical blackmail and price gouging.
The advantage of nuclear energy goes beyond its low carbon footprint, extending to economic reliability. Fuel costs for a nuclear plant, based on uranium, make up only about 10 to 15% of the total lifetime expense. By comparison, natural gas and oil plants dedicate between 40 and 70% of their costs to fuel. When tensions rise in the Middle East and oil prices surge, a nuclear facility continues to supply electricity at predictable marginal costs. By shielding the national grid from such price swings, nuclear energy creates a stable foundation that is essential for manufacturing and industrial development.
The environmental case for nuclear power is equally strong. Bangladesh faces acute risks from climate change, making the carbon intensity of its energy choices a matter of national importance. Once fully operational, the Rooppur plant is expected to prevent roughly 8.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions each year. This represents the single largest contribution the country has made to clean air and climate action to date.
Besides, the VVER-1200 reactors at Rooppur are Generation III plus designs. It incorporates passive safety systems that reflect the highest global standards. Claims about nuclear hazards often promoted by those with interests in fossil fuel imports fail to recognise the engineering robustness of these modern reactors. These systems are designed to operate safely even under challenging conditions, demonstrating that nuclear energy can deliver both security and environmental benefits.
The Rooppur project, with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts, is already showing the transformative potential of Bangladesh's partnership with Russia. It is being financed through a 90% Russian loan, making it the largest infrastructure project in the country's history. Beyond generating electricity, the project has boosted economic activity in the surrounding region by engaging over 24,000 workers, supporting 71 local companies, and leaving behind modern highways and river ports. With an operational life of 60 years, extendable to 80, Rooppur is an asset that will benefit the grandchildren of those who helped build it.
When we examine future demand projections, it becomes evident that Rooppur alone will not be enough to meet the country's needs. Even with its current capacity, per capita electricity consumption in Bangladesh remains far below the level required to sustain an industrialized economy. The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (Sanem) estimates that if electricity demand grows by 6% annually, supply will fall short by the early 2030s, resulting in a deficit of more than 14,000 megawatts by 2040. Claims that Bangladesh is creating "overcapacity" overlook the rapid and exponential growth in demand that accompanies true industrial development.
Building a new fossil fuel power plant today is like signing a long-term lease on uncertainty. It commits us to decades of relying on oil and gas we don't control, leaving our economy at the mercy of price shocks and political tensions in faraway places like Venezuela or the Persian Gulf. By contrast, investing in nuclear energy moves us closer to true control over our own energy future. We will be less exposed to global swings and more anchored in stability.
The Rooppur project, carried out by Russia's Rosatom, has shown that Bangladesh can safely and effectively manage nuclear technology. Our partnership with Russia has endured global sanctions and shifting geopolitics. It proves that securing energy for the nation must rise above short-term political pressures or crisis. Russia has emerged as a dependable ally, taking on large, complex engineering projects that few other countries are willing to tackle, and doing so with financing terms that make the venture far more feasible for Bangladesh.
As we get ready to mark the first loading of fuel at Rooppur, we should see it not as the finish line, but as the starting point. True energy security is the key to becoming a developed nation, and that future is powered by nuclear fuel, not imported oil. To protect our economy, keep our currency steady against global shocks, and energize the industries that will employ our growing youth, Bangladesh must plan for a larger, long-term nuclear energy journey.
The government needs to start planning the next nuclear power plant today. Whether it means expanding Rooppur or building a new site, the need is urgent and clear. In a world where energy equals power and oil prices can be used as weapons, Bangladesh cannot afford to remain at the mercy of Middle Eastern oil fields. We must commit fully to the nuclear path. The Rooppur project, with Russian technology, financing, and partnership has proven it can work. Securing the nation's prosperity for the next 50 years is not a choice; it is a necessity.
The writer is Editor of Geopolits.com
