Rosatom successfully delivers the initial nuclear fuel load for Bangladesh’s second Rooppur reactor.

Bangladesh secures the first nuclear fuel shipment for Rooppur’s second unit, advancing its long-term sustainable energy goals.

As a result, Bangladesh has secured the initial nuclear fuel load for Unit 2 of its Rooppur power plant. This delivery marks a major milestone in the country’s pursuit of sustainable energy infrastructure. A cargo aircraft initially delivered the specialised assemblies. Logistics teams then transported the materials by road to a secure storage facility.

Rosatom operates the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant. This facility successfully manufactured the complex fuel components. Company representatives confirmed that technicians subject all items to rigorous incoming inspections. These evaluations include both visual assessments and instrumental testing.

Experts therefore verify full compliance with strict technical documentation requirements. The inspection team features domestic experts alongside representatives from the general contractor. Meanwhile, Bangladesh received fresh Siberian fuel for the first unit earlier this autumn. Workers will commence this inaugural refuelling after the reactor completes its initial one-year cycle.

Operators successfully loaded fuel into the first unit earlier this year. As a result, the facility reached its minimum controllable power level by early October. Historically, Rosatom and the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission signed the initial agreement in February 2011. They formalised the USD 12.65 billion contract in December 2015.

The plant sits 160 kilometres from Dhaka. Construction of the twin reactors began in stages between November 2017 and July 2018. Ultimately, these advanced units are expected to operate for 60 years. The site officially became a nuclear facility in October 2023.

Regulators issued an operating licence for the first unit this past April. Engineers completed loading 163 fuel assemblies in May. Finally, the reactor achieved criticality on Sunday, 11 October.

(Source: World Nuclear News)

Read more Nuclear Energy News by clicking the 🔗 link.