Bangladesh has officially joined the elite global club of nuclear energy users. On Tuesday, April 28, the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) commenced fuel loading, making Bangladesh the 33rd country in the world to harness nuclear technology.
Minister for Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, inaugurated the landmark event. High-level dignitaries, including IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, were in attendance to witness the transition.
"This is a historic moment," Minister Anam stated. "Rooppur is more than a power project; it is a symbol of our self-reliance and technological maturity. We have ensured multi-dimensional security measures in coordination with the IAEA to meet the highest global safety standards."
The project, a result of deep bilateral cooperation with Russia, has remained on schedule despite global challenges. Rosatom DG Alexey Likhachev noted that construction never halted, even during the pandemic. He confirmed that Unit-2 is also progressing rapidly, with testing expected to begin next year.
Beyond infrastructure, the project emphasizes human resource development. Over 900 Bangladeshi students have already completed nuclear studies in Russia, forming the backbone of the 1,100 specialists who will eventually manage the plant’s operations.
Once fully operational, the RNPP will provide a massive boost to the national grid. Experts highlight its role in driving industrialization and ensuring long-term energy security through carbon-free power for nearly a century.
