Despite being a less economically developed nation, Bangladesh still remains committed to executing top-notch energy projects that are sure to provide electricity for its population. Following the progress and achievements that the country attained in 2025, news broke that Bangladesh’s Rooppur nuclear plant should be going online with its first reactor this year, creating tremendous anticipation among its population.
Bangladesh’s ambitious Roopur Nuclear Power Plant: Why is it significant?
The reason why Bangladesh’s latest energy project has received a lot of attention is that it is not like any regular energy project but takes things a step further by applying the futuristic aspects of energy generation. Firstly, once the project comes to fruition, it will be the first time that Bangladesh’s energy supply will come from nuclear power. This monumental testament is one that unveils the amount of progress that Bangladesh has made over the years.
Another impressive facet of the project is how the reactor will come online. Nuclear projects and energy projects in general have advanced to such a high level that they can be launched virtually rather than in person. This is a development that would not have been possible many decades ago.
The process of bringing reactors online is complex, lengthy, and requires massive financial investment and a specialized workforce, which is a tremendous obstacle for countries to overcome. According to reports, there are about 30 countries that are in the middle of bringing online nuclear reactors to their population.
Bangladesh’s first reactor online: An overview of a monumental nuclear power plant
When the news about the power plant was made public, many people were eager to learn where exactly the country was in terms of bringing the entire project. At the moment, the first unit is progressing through the final stages of commissioning as engineers are preparing to put nuclear fuel into the reactor. This is an aspect that all nuclear developments go through if they are intent on generating electricity. The fuel loading process is expected to begin in early February 2026, which is uplifting not only for the facilitators but for the citizens, too.
Assuring Bangladesh that the first reactor is coming soon
It is human nature for people to begin questioning whether a development will come to fruition, especially in poorer nations. However, the people of Bangladesh received assurance after a senior official revealed on 29 December that:
“The remaining ancillary works are expected to be completed within the next five weeks, paving the way for fuel loading in early February. While the plant is gradually moving into the operational phase, no stage is being rushed due to the highly sensitive nature of the process.”
Understanding the role of the reputable Rosatom in Roopur’s upcoming power plant
One beneficial aspect of the energy industry is that countries tend to collaborate more than they compete, which leads to foreign companies assisting other countries throughout the process. The Russian state corporation Rosatom has also included Roopur as part of its many projects, which it is working on. This will play a crucial part for Bangladesh, which will need the support of an experienced company, considering that this is the country’s first nuclear power plant intended for electricity generation purposes.
Some people have criticized the Bangladesh government for allowing a foreign company to make a profit off it when there are other upcoming companies in Bangladesh. However, the majority of the population understands the need not take any risks in this first online development.
March or April is the alleged timeline that Bangladesh is hoping to connect the unit to the national grid. The initial amount of generated electricity will be 350 megawatts, which is massive considering that the country is over-reliant on fossil fuels. Bangladesh joins the lengthy list of countries hoping to execute monumental projects in 2026.
