Rosatom has begun supplying nuclear fuel for the initial loading of Unit 2 at Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), while completing deliveries of fresh fuel for the first refuelling of Unit 1.
The first batch of fuel assemblies for Unit 2’s Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactor was manufactured at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, part of Rosatom’s Fuel Division, and recently transported to Bangladesh by a dedicated cargo flight.
Rosatom has also completed shipments of fresh nuclear fuel from Siberia for the first refueling of Unit 1, which is scheduled after the reactor completes its first annual fuel cycle.
At the plant, the fuel containers were transferred to a dedicated fresh-fuel storage facility. All fuel assemblies will undergo mandatory visual and instrumental inspections to verify compliance with technical specifications and nuclear safety requirements. A joint commission comprising representatives of Bangladesh, the project’s general contractor and the fuel manufacturer oversees the inspections under applicable nuclear and radiation safety regulations.
In 2026, Rosatom’s Engineering Division completed the initial loading of nuclear fuel into Unit 1’s reactor core. The reactor reached its minimum controllable power level in October, marking a significant milestone towards electricity generation.
Before connecting the unit to the national grid and proceeding to trial commercial operation, further power-ascension tests and the necessary regulatory approvals must be completed.
Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant, Rooppur comprises two Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400 megawatts (MW). Rosatom’s Engineering Division is serving as the project’s general designer and general contractor.
