Bangladesh has taken a major step in its nuclear energy expansion after the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) issued a commissioning licence for fuel loading at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), a project central to the country’s long-term electricity and energy security strategy.
The licence was granted following assessments and reviews by both national and international regulatory bodies, according to officials. BAERA chairman Mahmudul Hasan formally handed over the licence to Dr M Moinul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, on Thursday, a handout confirmed on Friday.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is widely regarded as a landmark addition to Bangladesh’s power generation portfolio, as the country seeks to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and stabilise electricity supply amid fluctuating global energy markets. The development comes at a time when global energy systems remain sensitive to supply disruptions, including oil price volatility and geopolitical tensions affecting key trade routes.
With fuel loading set to begin at the first unit, the project has entered a critical operational phase. Officials said the formal inauguration of fuel loading is expected in the last week of April. Once fuel loading begins, electricity from the unit is projected to reach the national grid within around three months.
The project timeline also outlines staged testing and capacity-building procedures after initial grid connection. Full-capacity transmission from the first unit is targeted by next December, subject to successful commissioning and operational validation. Authorities say the plant will contribute significantly to improving energy security and supporting sustained electricity generation in Bangladesh, where demand growth continues to rise alongside industrial expansion.
Senior officials from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project and Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) were present during the licensing handover ceremony. The milestone is being positioned by policymakers as part of a broader strategy to diversify Bangladesh’s energy mix, reduce pressure on imported fuels, and strengthen long-term grid stability.
