Bangladesh starts fueling its first nuclear power station at Rooppur

Bangladesh has begun loading uranium fuel at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, a key step toward first power generation by August and full output by late 2027.

Bangladesh began loading uranium fuel into its first nuclear power station on Tuesday, marking a key step toward bringing the 2,400 megawatt Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant online.

The $11 billion plant, located in the northwest of the country, could meet up to 10 per cent of national power demand when fully operational. Initial power generation of around 300 MW is expected by August, with full production targeted for late 2027.

What is the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and when will it produce power?

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is Bangladesh's first nuclear facility, built at a cost of $11 billion with construction starting in 2017. It has a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts and is designed to serve a nation of 170 million people.

The plant is expected to supply around 300 megawatts to the national grid by August, with full-scale production following in late 2027.

What does fuel loading mean for Bangladesh's nuclear plant?

Fuel loading is the process of placing uranium into the reactor core to initiate a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction.

Saikat Ahmed, the plant's senior scientific information officer, told AFP that completing fuel loading marks "the start of the physical start-up phase." The process requires careful, staged testing before any electricity reaches the grid.

Shafiqul Islam, a professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Dhaka, described it as "a complex and sensitive phase," adding that every aspect of safety and security would be further evaluated before full-scale production begins.

Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam confirmed earlier this month that 300 megawatts was the initial target for August. Each stage must be tested and cleared before the next begins.

Why does Bangladesh need nuclear power?

Bangladesh's electricity grid faces severe strain each summer as heat drives up demand for air conditioning.

The country imports 95 per cent of its oil and gas, much of it from the Middle East, and energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted since the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February.

The Rooppur plant is seen as a long-term solution to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and ease recurring power shortages.