Bangladesh now world's 33rd nuclear power plant

Uranium fuel loading has begun at the first unit of the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi Upazila of Pabna. With this, Bangladesh has officially entered the phase of generating electricity using nuclear fuel.

The program began with a grand ceremony at the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant on Tuesday afternoon (April 28).

With the help of Russian experts and under the supervision of local engineers, 163 fuel assemblies are being installed in the reactor core.

Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam was present as the chief guest at the event. Advisor to the Ministry of Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Secretary Anwar Hossain and Director General of the Russian nuclear agency Rosatom Alexei Likhachev were present as special guests.

In a video message, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi congratulated Bangladesh on this new achievement.

With this progress, Bangladesh has now joined the world as the 33rd nuclear power producing country.

According to project sources, about 300 MW of electricity from the first unit may be connected to the national grid by August-September.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority gave permission for fuel loading for Unit-1 on April 16. The project reached this stage after successfully completing multiple safety tests and preparations as per the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).