Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant gets license to start production

The first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s first nuclear power project, has secured the commissioning license, making it eligible to launch production activities on a trial basis at the earliest possible time.

Project Director Md Kabir Hossain confirmed the development in an exchange with reporters on Thursday.

The development came into light after Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) approved fuel (uranium) loading for the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a key milestone for the project.

If all goes as planned, the inauguration of the fuel loading process may take place by the end of April, BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan also said in the same meeting with reporters on Thursday.

He said, "an initial plan to launch the process on Apr 7 had been postponed due to technical and safety-related issues. The decision to proceed with fuel loading has been taken after ensuring all safety requirements."

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the commissioning license is a regulatory permit that allows the transition from construction to operation, after verifying that all systems are safe, compliant with design, and fully functional.

The license ensures a civilian nuclear facility can generate power safely under a testing and trial stage before eventually starting permanent commercial operations.

Zahedul Hassan, managing director of the state-owned Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), said all necessary approvals, including those related to fire safety, have been secured.

He added that preparations for the physical startup, including fuel loading, have been completed in line with safety, security and international safeguard protocols.

The fuel loading was originally scheduled to be inaugurated on Apr 7 in a virtual event involving Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the schedule was deferred due to delays in obtaining the licence. The project has reached this stage nearly two years after nuclear fuel was delivered from Russia.

With an estimated cost of $12.6 billion, the power plant will have two units with a combined generation capacity of 2,400MW. The first unit is expected to go into operation in the first half of 2027, while the second unit is targeted for completion by 2028.