Bangladesh Rooppur Nuclear Plant Reaches Criticality and Begins Power Startup

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh's first nuclear facility, reached criticality on October 30, 2026. This milestone follows the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority's approval on October 29 for Unit 1 to advance to Stage C activities, allowing for power startup and the gradual commencement of electricity generation.

During Stage C, engineers will increase reactor power to produce steam and drive the turbine while monitoring coolant and safety systems. The process involves synchronizing the generator with the national grid, with officials expecting trial supply to begin in the last week of November and a goal of supplying 300MW by December. The plant's Unit 1 was fueled by 164 low-enriched uranium fuel assemblies manufactured by Russia's Rosatom.

Located in Pabna, the facility consists of two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400MW. The project, developed with Russian technical assistance, has seen its total cost rise to Tk 1.38686 trillion, with a final completion deadline extended to June 2028.