BPDB awaits cost details to fix Rooppur tariff

As the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant prepares to supply its first 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity, the cost of that power remains uncertain, with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) still awaiting key cost details from the plant authorities.

The BPDB, the plant's sole electricity purchaser, is preparing to sign a provisional tariff agreement with the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) authority. A senior BPDB official told the Daily Observer on Saturday that the board was examining a draft proposal and that a committee would soon be formed to begin formal tariff negotiations.

BPDB Chairman Md Rezaul Karim has sought project and maintenance cost details for the past 18 months. The BPDB, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) and RNPP authority are working together to determine the tariff, the official said, adding that handling nuclear power for the first time required them to understand several new issues.

The tariff is yet to be finalised and will be determined in line with grid synchronisation and the completion of pre-commissioning tests.

The RNPP authority expects Unit-1 to generate 300MW by the end of this year, while commercial operation is expected in January 2027.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has raised concerns with Moscow over delays in updating key construction and financial schedules under the project contract.

In a letter dated September 29, 2026, the Economic Relations Division (ERD) urged Russian Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Kolychev to resolve outstanding issues, saying contractor Atomstroyexport had yet to update the schedules in line with the general contract.

Dhaka is also concerned about a proposed reduction in the trial-operation period for both units. The original contract required 10 months of trial operation before provisional takeover, but a revised schedule submitted in June 2026 reportedly shortened the period. The ERD warned that this could limit Bangladesh's ability to assess the contractor's performance and verify safety standards.

At a meeting on October 9, Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam raised the issue with Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, stressing the need to balance an early grid connection with adequate testing and verification. Likhachev said the first unit, equipped with a Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactor, could be connected to the national grid soon for trial electricity supply.

The $12.65 billion project, with Russia financing 90 per cent of the cost, has faced delays linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and the war-related complications. Although the intergovernmental credit agreement and general contract have been extended until December 2027, the ERD says key schedules remain to be updated.

Consumer advocate Prof Shamsul Alam has called for forensic audits, alleging corruption and insisting that the tariff be based on internationally accepted cost standards.

With the first unit nearing trial generation, the final tariff remains a key unresolved issue for the BPDB and the power sector.