The third consignment of nuclear fuel has successfully arrived at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna under rigorous security arrangements. Transporting the fresh uranium, a specialized convoy entered the project site shortly after 10:00 am on Wednesday, according to senior officials associated with the mega project.
The journey commenced early in the morning when the heavily guarded fuel convoy departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at approximately 5:00 am. The specialized cargo aircraft carrying the nuclear fuel had landed at the airport on Tuesday evening, where officials from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) formally inspected and took delivery of the shipment.
Traffic movement along the Dhaka-Pabna highway was temporarily restricted and closely monitored by security forces to ensure the uninterrupted and safe transit of the hazardous payload. Law enforcement agencies, including elements of the military and police, established a comprehensive security perimeter along the entire route.
This delivery marks the third successful shipment of nuclear fuel to reach the country’s flagship power site. The initial two consignments arrived earlier this month, on 3 October and 11 October respectively, to supply the plant’s First Unit. In contrast, Wednesday’s shipment constitutes the first batch of uranium earmarked for the Second Unit, representing another pivotal step toward operational readiness.
Bangladesh is constructing the 2,400-megawatt Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, in collaboration with Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. The facility comprises two VVER-1200 reactors, each capable of generating 1,200 megawatts of electricity. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to significantly bolster the national grid, diversify Bangladesh’s energy mix, and reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
With the arrival of nuclear fuel, Bangladesh has officially entered the elite club of nuclear-capable power-generating nations. The gradual commissioning of both units remains on track, bringing the nation closer to meeting its growing industrial and domestic electricity demands through clean, base-load nuclear energy.
