Bangladesh is preparing to activate its first nuclear power facility, the Rooppur plant, a project more than a decade in the making that aims to alleviate the country's persistent electricity shortages. Located 150 kilometers west of Dhaka on the banks of the Padma River, the $13 billion plant features two reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 gigawatts, expected to provide over 10% of Bangladesh’s electricity demand once fully operational.
The plant’s initial reactor is slated to go online by the end of this year, with the second unit expected to be operational within a year, according to Md Zahedul Hasan, managing director of the state-owned Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh. The facility represents the culmination of decades-long efforts to introduce nuclear energy as part of the country’s power mix, which remains largely dependent on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, supplemented by coal, oil, and renewables.
The Rooppur project, constructed in partnership with the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has significantly altered the once rural village of Rooppur. Thousands of Russian technicians and workers have been stationed at the site since construction began in 2017, creating a Russian enclave in the local community. The presence of Russian staff has spurred the development of residential complexes, shops, and restaurants catering to both locals and foreign workers, with signage in Bangla, English, and Russian.
While the influx of foreign workers and related businesses has boosted the local economy—providing new jobs and trade opportunities—the plant’s proximity to populated areas has not been without controversy. Some residents have expressed anxiety about safety. Md Yunus Ali, an 80-year-old retired paper mill worker living about 15 minutes from the facility, recalled recent battery tests that sparked fear among nearby families. Though he said he is personally unconcerned at his age, he voiced apprehension for the safety of future generations.
Officials emphasize that stringent safety standards have been integrated into the plant’s design and operations, drawing on lessons from previous international nuclear incidents. Local youth, such as 15-year-old Mohammad Nafiz, expressed optimism about the plant’s impact, hoping it would provide career opportunities for their generation.
The aspiration to establish nuclear power in Bangladesh traces back to the 1960s, with various attempts to partner with countries including Saudi Arabia, France, China, and South Korea. The agreement with Russia was finalized in 2015, with Moscow providing a loan covering approximately 90% of the project’s initial cost. However, the construction timeline has encountered setbacks, including delays linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and complications arising from international sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. These factors disrupted equipment shipments and financial transactions.
The project has also been subject to allegations of corruption, implicating former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family, though these charges have been firmly denied.
Despite the challenges, many Bangladeshis eagerly anticipate relief from frequent power outages. For villagers like Belly Begum, a 55-year-old farmer struggling to irrigate amid rolling blackouts, the plant represents a critical step toward securing reliable, uninterrupted electricity. “I hope we will get electricity for 24 hours without interruption, as the plant is near my house,” she said, reflecting widespread hopes for a transformative impact on the nation’s energy landscape.