Rosatom announced its readiness to launch power unit No. 1 of the Ruppur NPP in Bangladesh

The first power unit of the Ruppur nuclear power plant (NPP) in Bangladesh, built with the participation of Russia, is ready for the physical start-up of the reactor, specialists have completed the inspection of the reactor plant equipment, Rosatom State Corporation announced on April 23.

"Atomtekhenergo specialists conducted a final check of the readiness of the power unit equipment for the physical start-up of the reactor. An operating license has been obtained," the agency's Telegram channel says.

At the next stage, the physical launch itself will be carried out, during which 163 fuel assemblies with nuclear fuel will be loaded into the core of the nuclear reactor.

"During 2026, the unit will be brought to a minimum controlled capacity level, followed by a power start—up stage with electricity supply to the country's system," said Alexey Deriy, Vice President for Projects in Bangladesh at Atomstroyexport JSC.

Nuclear actor: Rosatom to launch nuclear power plant in Bangladesh by mid-2026

This will help the local economy reduce dependence on imported coal and strengthen relations between the two countries.

In March, Russian Ambassador to the republic Alexander Khozin told Izvestia that the new government of Bangladesh had expressed interest in implementing joint energy projects with Russia, including the gas industry and solar energy. The Ambassador noted that Russian companies specializing in renewable energy sources have already sent their proposals to their partners. The change of the Cabinet of Ministers in Dhaka can give impetus to these initiatives, the diplomat believes.