Technicians work on a reactor assembly. The Russian nuclear corporation has begun supplying fuel for Unit 2 of Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant while completing fuel deliveries for Unit 1’s first refueling cycle
Technicians work on a reactor assembly. The Russian nuclear corporation has begun supplying fuel for Unit 2 of Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant while completing fuel deliveries for Unit 1’s first refueling cycleCourtesy of Rosatom
Bangladesh

Rosatom ships first nuclear fuel for Rooppur Unit 2 as Unit 1 nears grid connection

Russian nuclear giant also completes fuel deliveries for Unit 1’s first refueling cycle, as Bangladesh’s maiden nuclear power plant moves closer to electricity generation
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Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom has begun shipping nuclear fuel for the second reactor of Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, while completing fuel deliveries for the first refueling of Unit 1.

The first batch of fuel assemblies for Unit 2’s VVER-1200 reactor arrived in Bangladesh aboard a dedicated cargo flight from Russia, Rosatom said.

The fuel was manufactured at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant in Siberia, part of Rosatom’s Fuel Division.

The company has also completed shipments of fresh nuclear fuel for Unit 1’s first refueling, scheduled after the reactor completes its initial annual fuel cycle.

The deliveries mark another step towards bringing both reactors of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant into operation.

Upon arrival at the Rooppur site, the fuel containers were transferred to a dedicated storage facility, where the assemblies undergo mandatory visual and instrumental inspections.

A joint commission comprising Bangladeshi representatives, the project's general contractor and the fuel manufacturer oversees the inspections to ensure compliance with technical specifications and nuclear safety regulations.

Rosatom completed the initial fuel loading of Unit 1 earlier this year. The reactor reached its minimum controllable power level in October, a critical stage in the commissioning process.

However, Unit 1 must still undergo further power ascension tests and secure regulatory approvals before connecting to Bangladesh’s national electricity grid and beginning trial commercial operation.

Located in Pabna, the Rooppur plant comprises two Russian-designed Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors, each with a generating capacity of 1,200 megawatts.

Together, the reactors will provide 2,400 MW of installed generating capacity, making Rooppur Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility.

Rosatom’s Engineering Division is the project’s general designer and general contractor.