First nuclear power plant set for grid connection

Country's first nuclear power plant at Rooppur is expected to begin supplying electricity to the national grid on a trial basis this month, with around 300 megawatts (MW) likely to come from its first unit.

If all safety and technical tests are completed successfully, authorities plan to formally inaugurate the initial 300MW power generation in December, marking a major milestone in the country's energy sector.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being built in Ishwardi, Pabna, with advanced Russian technology, financial and technical assistance, and overall supervision from Russia. Atomstroyexport, the engineering division of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, is implementing the project.

The plant consists of two units, each with a generation capacity of 1,200MW, bringing the total planned capacity to 2,400MW.

Several sources involved in the project said that, barring technical complications or unforeseen circumstances, the first unit could begin supplying approximately 300MW to the national grid on a trial basis as early as this week.

This would mark the beginning of the commercial use of nuclear-generated electricity in Bangladesh.

However, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) Chairman Mahmudul Hasan said the exact date for connecting the plant to the national grid could not yet be confirmed.

"Efforts are underway to begin supplying electricity as soon as possible," he said.

He explained that the authorities would closely monitor the plant after the trial supply begins to ensure that all systems are functioning properly.

The formal inauguration will take place only after tests and monitoring confirm that there are no technical problems or operational defects, he added.

Mahmudul Hasan also said the prime minister might attend the inauguration as the chief guest, although the date would depend on her availability. Consequently, no official date has yet been fixed for the ceremony.

The first unit achieved controlled nuclear fission, known as criticality, on October 11. Subsequently, on October 29, BAERA granted permission to begin the final stage of increasing the reactor's power capacity, known as the Power Startup (C-Stage).

Subject to the successful completion of technical tests, approximately 300MW could be connected to the national grid on a trial basis within this week.

According to the Science and Technology Ministry's plan, electricity generation will gradually increase after the formal launch of the initial 300MW supply in December.

It may take another three to four months to bring the first unit to its full generation capacity of 1,200MW. The process is expected to be completed by April 2027.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to commission the second unit, with regular shipments of nuclear fuel (uranium) arriving from Russia. Six shipments of uranium intended for the second unit have already reached the Rooppur site.

Authorities are targeting full-scale electricity generation from the second unit by the end of 2027, approximately a year after the first unit becomes fully operational.

Once both units are running at full capacity, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will contribute a combined 2,400MW to the national grid, meeting a significant portion of Bangladesh's electricity demand.