Bangladesh’s first nuclear reactor nears start-up as Rosatom begins fuel loading

The South Asian country of Bangladesh is expected to join the list of countries that use nuclear power to meet their energy needs in the near future. Russia’s Rosatom announced earlier this week that it had begun loading nuclear fuel into the first unit of the Rooppur power plant. Once completed, it will be the country’s first nuclear power plant.

Bangladesh could get its first nuclear power plant this year. Construction began in autumn 2017, when concrete was first poured for the first unit. Once completed, the Rooppur plant will have two VVER-1200 units with a total installed capacity of 2400 MWe.

The first unit is nearing completion, as loading nuclear fuel is the first step in the start-up process. The unit will reach minimum controlled power in the near future. After fuel loading and safety tests are completed, it could supply around 300 MW, Reuters reports.

According to Bangladeshi Minister of Science and Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam, the first unit is expected to begin commercial operation in August this year. Its output should reach 1100 MW by the start of next year, and the unit is expected to reach full capacity by the end of January 2027.

Work is also under way on the second unit at the Rooppur plant. Its construction began in summer 2018, around eight months after work started on the first unit. Rosatom says the second unit is expected to come online next year.