Bangladesh’s inaugural nuclear energy installation at Rooppur has reached a major technical milestone, successfully completing all required evaluations under Phase B-2 for its first unit, including physics tests.
Engineers and specialists submitted the comprehensive testing documentation to the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) for final review. Upon receiving formal regulatory clearance, Unit-1 will transition into “Stage C”, also known as the power start-up phase, marking the final technical stepping stone before commercial electricity generation.
Project officials initially aimed to launch power start-up operations around 25 October, though the exact timeline hinges entirely on BAERA’s regulatory seal of approval.
A high-level Russian delegation visited Bangladesh from 20 to 23 October to inspect ongoing operational progress at the Ishwardi site in Pabna district. Led by Andrei Petrov, First Deputy Director General of Rosatom and President of Atomstroyexport (ASE), the team conducted site assessments and engaged in high-level discussions with Bangladeshi authorities.
On Thursday evening, the delegation met with Minister of Science and Technology Fakir Mahboob Anam in Dhaka. Senior officials present included the Ministry’s Secretary, Md. Anwar Hossain, alongside top executives from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), the operating entity responsible for the facility.
A statement issued by the Russian Embassy on Friday confirmed that delegates briefed the Minister on the successful critical phase achievements of Unit-1. Discussions covered both current construction milestones and upcoming joint initiatives planned between Dhaka and Moscow.
Dr Md. Zahedul Hasan, Managing Director of NPCBL, confirmed that all physics evaluations under Phase B-2 met regulatory benchmarks. He explained that initial power output will begin on a limited scale during the power start-up phase, with generation capacity ramping up incrementally as each subsequent test validates system stability.
Engineers anticipate connecting Unit-1 to the national grid once power output reaches between 30 and 35 per cent of capacity. If evaluations proceed smoothly and regulatory approvals are granted, the plant is expected to supply at least 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid before the end of the year, bringing Bangladesh closer to incorporating nuclear power into its national energy mix.
