The scheduled fuel loading of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur has been postponed again due to pending regulatory approvals and unresolved safety issues, officials said.
The fuel loading—originally planned for April 7 at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishurdi, Pabna—has been delayed as key fire safety compliance requirements remain unmet.
Project Director Dr Kabir Hossain said on Wednesday that the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) has yet to issue the required license, making it impossible to proceed as scheduled.
Officials said uranium fuel rods for the first unit arrived in Bangladesh nearly two years ago, and preparations have continued, including during the Eid holidays. Despite multiple high-level meetings at the Ministry of Science and Technology, final clearance is still pending.
BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan said some “critical issues” emerged during the review process.
“We are ensuring the highest level of safety. Some additional assessments are required, but the delay will likely be only for a few days,” he said.
According to Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), a comprehensive inspection conducted in November 2025 by BAERA, Russia’s occupational safety agency, and VU Safety identified 257 safety observations across multiple systems.
Some of these issues require re-testing and further technical assessment before approval can be granted. Kabir said the primary concern involves fire-fighting systems and fire measurement mechanisms, which require additional inspection by the Fire Service Department.
Sources told Dhaka Tribune that the inauguration date had been set based on the availability of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the President of Russia, adding pressure to complete technical and regulatory requirements on time.
Officials at the Ministry of Science and Technology held meetings late into the night on March 31 before confirming the postponement of the fuel loading ceremony.
Funded and technically supported by Russia, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is Bangladesh’s largest energy infrastructure project.
Construction of the first unit has been completed, while the second unit remains under development. Commercial electricity generation from Unit-1 is now expected by December 2027 after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Unit-1 is expected to generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, while Unit-2 may be completed by late 2027 or early 2028. The plant’s total capacity will reach 2,400 megawatts upon full completion.
Bangladesh’s energy sector has been under pressure in recent years due to fuel shortages, rising import dependence, and infrastructure constraints. Several power plants have faced temporary shutdowns due to shortages of gas and imported oil.
Experts say delays in large-scale projects like Rooppur could prolong reliance on imported energy sources, including LNG, furnace oil, and coal, which remain vulnerable to global price fluctuations.
Authorities, however, emphasized that safety remains the top priority, and all regulatory requirements must be fully met before fuel loading begins.
For now, officials expect the remaining safety issues to be resolved within days.
