PM may inaugurate commercial operations of Rooppur nuclear plant in August: Minister Anam

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may inaugurate the commercial operation of the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at the end of August if ongoing preparations proceed as planned, Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said today (12 June).

"The plant's first 1,200MW unit is expected to begin gradually supplying between 1,000MW and 1,100MW of electricity to the national grid from December," the minister said at a high-level strategic roundtable on nuclear energy in Rooppur.

"If everything goes according to plan, the prime minister may inaugurate the commercial operation of the plant at the end of August," he added.

The two-day discussion titled "Nuclear Energy: Strategy, Realities and Bangladesh's Path Forward," was organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Anam informed that fuel loading for the second unit is expected to begin in April 2027, while the entire project is scheduled for completion by December 2027.

"Once fully operational, approximately 200MW will be used for the plant's own operations, leaving about 2,200MW available for the national grid," he said.

The minister also said electricity generated by the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to be cheaper than power produced from conventional fossil fuel-based plants.

According to him, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission is currently negotiating a power purchase agreement with the Bangladesh Power Development Board to determine the tariff structure for electricity generated by the plant.

He described the facility as one of the safest nuclear power plants in the world, noting that it uses Generation III+ technology with advanced safety features.

"Within the next five to seven years, people will witness the emergence of a megacity around the power plant, while load-shedding will become a thing of the past," he said.

Anam further said the prime minister has been closely involved in overseeing the project and has held multiple discussions with Russian counterparts regarding its progress.

He noted that the plant is designed to operate for 60 years, with the possibility of a further 20-year extension, and highlighted its role as a low-carbon source of electricity.

"Transparency and accountability are the motto of this government," the minister said, urging the media to report accurately and help identify shortcomings while avoiding misinformation.

Among others, lawmakers Selim Reza Habib and Habibur Rahman, Science and Technology Secretary Anwar Hossain, senior officials, experts, business leaders and journalists participated in the discussion.