Fuel loading at Rooppur NPP Unit-1 by late February; power generation expected in March this year

Dhaka: Engineers working on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) have confirmed that fuel loading at the plant’s first unit is expected to be completed by the end of February 2026, marking a major milestone toward electricity generation, according to a press release of the Chief Adviser Press Wing on January 18.

Science and Technology Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, who also holds responsibility for the Ministry of Finance, visited the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction site at Ishwardi in Pabna on Friday to review project progress. During the visit, he exchanged views with project officials, engineers, and workers and praised their dedication and continuous efforts in implementing Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project.

During the inspection, engineers from Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, which is involved in the project implementation, informed that fuel loading for Unit-1 is progressing as scheduled and is expected to be completed by late February 2026.

They further stated that by the end of March 2026, around 350 megawatts of electricity from Unit-1 could be supplied to the national grid. In subsequent phases, the 1,200-megawatt capacity unit is expected to generate approximately 1,150 megawatts of electricity for effective and sustained supply to the national grid.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed expressed optimism that the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, as Bangladesh’s first nuclear facility, would play a historic role in meeting the country’s growing electricity demand, strengthening energy security, and supporting sustainable development.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is a flagship mega project of the Government of Bangladesh and is currently in its final stage of construction, being implemented in compliance with all international safety and regulatory standards.

K