Rooppur to Supply 300MW to National Grid in September

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna may begin supplying 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid on a trial basis in September, as testing at the country’s first nuclear power plant gathers pace.

If the remaining tests and procedures are completed successfully, the plant’s first unit could begin generating electricity at full capacity within the next few months.

The development comes as Bangladesh continues to face a gas shortage that has contributed to increased load-shedding at the consumer level. Authorities are therefore looking to Rooppur as an alternative and stable source of electricity.

According to officials involved in the project, uranium fuel has already been loaded into the reactor of the first unit. More than 100 tests have been successfully completed in two phases, while several complex and sensitive tests are now being carried out. Each stage is being reviewed and approved by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA).

Once operating at full capacity, the plant is expected to provide a stable supply of electricity around the clock. After fuel loading, each unit can operate continuously for up to 18 months before being shut down for refuelling and necessary maintenance, which could take up to two months.

Science and Technology Adviser Rehan Asif Asad said nuclear-generated electricity requires a highly stable transmission system, making it essential to strengthen the national grid infrastructure.

He said the government was working with the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) to ensure the grid can handle the additional supply without disruption.

Preparations to connect electricity from Rooppur to the national grid are also nearing completion at the Baghabari 230kV, Bogura 400kV and Gopalganj 400kV transmission facilities. However, further preparations will be required before the plant can operate at full capacity.

Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku said the national grid would need regular upgrades to accommodate the rapid addition of nuclear-generated electricity. He warned that inadequate coordination could increase the risk of disruptions to the country’s power supply.

The government is carrying out the necessary upgrades and preparations in line with recommendations from international nuclear experts, he added.

However, the final price of electricity generated by Rooppur has yet to be determined. Following the trial generation phase, the PDB is expected to sign a formal power purchase agreement (PPA) for electricity from the plant.

An initial draft had estimated the price at Tk 3–4 per unit, but the final price could change because of the increase in the overall project cost.

CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem said financial transactions related to the Rooppur project had faced complications because of sanctions imposed by Russia and the United States. Delays in establishing alternative payment channels have created some constraints in international transactions, affecting the project’s overall progress.