Bangladesh’s Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant has received a commissioning license for fuel loading from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, marking the project’s final preparatory stage before power generation. Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will inaugurate the fuel loading by the end of this month, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to attend virtually. The government expects the plant to supply 1,000 megawatts to the national grid by December 2026.

Experts, however, caution that commercial power generation may take six to twelve months after fuel loading due to required testing and safety checks. The process involves inserting nuclear fuel into the reactor and conducting phased operational tests under strict safety protocols aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh has already completed grid capacity and transmission line work for the first unit.

The Ruppur project, launched in 2017 with Russian financial and technical assistance, has faced multiple delays due to safety and infrastructure challenges. Despite progress, experts emphasize that ensuring nuclear safety and emergency preparedness remains the state’s primary responsibility.