Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant, Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant, is set to begin fuel loading for its first unit on April 7, 2026, under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Officials expect that by July 2026, electricity generated from the plant will be supplied to the national grid.
The fuel loading ceremony will be inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Tarek Rahman and Russian President Vladimir Putin from Dhaka’s Novotheater. Preparations are being finalized to ensure a smooth and safe commencement of the operation. All preparatory work for Unit-1 is expected to be completed by March 27, 2026, after which commissioning and fuel loading will formally begin.
According to Md. Anwar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Russian contractor has officially confirmed that fuel loading for Unit-1 will start on April 7. He said:
“We hope to begin electricity production by July and supply at least 300 megawatts to the national grid.”
During the fuel loading process, high-level representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, will be present.
Preparations at the project site are in full swing. Employees of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, and Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) have had their Eid holidays canceled to ensure uninterrupted work.
An office order (No. 106/2026) signed by Director (Administration, Deputy Secretary) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission stated that:
“The Honorable Prime Minister will inaugurate the fuel loading ceremony of the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project on April 7, 2026. To ensure safe and smooth execution, all officers and employees’ scheduled leave is canceled until further notice.”
Dr. Zayedul Hasan, Managing Director of NPCBL, said that important preparatory work has been successfully completed, and all safety, security, and safeguards protocols have been fully implemented in preparation for the physical startup and fuel loading.
He expressed hope that by July, Unit-1 will supply 300 MW, and by December, a phased supply of 1,000 MW to the national grid will be possible.
The Ruppur Nuclear Power Project features two third-generation VVER-1200 reactors supplied by Russia, each with a capacity of 1,200 MW, giving a total capacity of 2,400 MW. Officials confirmed that the reactors meet international safety standards. The project is being implemented by Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation.
