Dhaka [Bangladesh], April 28 (ANI): Fuel loading at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi Upazila has officially begun, marking a major step in commissioning the facility.
The commissioning is proceeding in phases under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines, with fuel loading for Unit‑1 starting on Tuesday. Officials expect at least 300 megawatts from Rooppur to be added to Bangladesh’s national grid in August. If realized, Bangladesh would become the third South Asian country after India and Pakistan to generate nuclear power.
Built with Russian financial and technical support and valued at over USD 12 billion, the Rooppur project will generate electricity in stages across multiple units. When fully operational, the plant on the banks of the Padma River will have a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh said it will begin connecting nuclear power to the national grid within the year as it addresses an energy crunch linked to the situation in West Asia. Government sources say at least one Rooppur unit is expected to start feeding electricity into the grid this year to bolster energy security and stability.
On April 16, Mahmudul Hasan, chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA), handed the commissioning licence and personnel authorisations for Unit‑1 to M. Moinul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.
The start of fuel loading for Unit‑1 is being hailed as a landmark for the country’s power sector. The official inauguration of fuel loading activities was expected in the last week of April. According to the schedule, electricity from the first unit should reach the national grid roughly three months after fuel loading begins, with phased testing and capacity increases aiming for full-capacity transmission by December. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
