Bangladesh has taken a significant step in its energy sector as the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) granted the commissioning license for fuel loading at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Plant (RNPP) on April 17, 2026. The license was handed over by BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan to Dr. M Moinul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.
The issuance of this license followed rigorous assessments and reviews by both national and international regulatory agencies. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is seen as a pivotal addition to Bangladesh’s power infrastructure, with the first unit’s fuel loading activities set to formally commence in the last week of April 2026.
This development is expected to enhance Bangladesh’s energy security and contribute to sustainable power generation. Electricity from the first unit is anticipated to be connected to the national grid within three months of the fuel loading, with full capacity transmission targeted by December 2026.
The Rooppur project has been a collaborative effort involving senior officials from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Construction Project and Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL). As Bangladesh progresses with this initiative, it positions itself as a growing player in the nuclear energy sector.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, April 18, 2026
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