Operators have started loading fuel into the 2,400-megawatt Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh. The plant is expected to reach peak power production by 2027.
"Another important step in developing peaceful nuclear power, strengthening friendly relations with our foreign partners." — Alexey Likhachev, Rosatom Director
Background
Bangladesh first pursued a nuclear power plant in the 1960s. The Rooppur project, located in the village of Rooppur on the Padma River, has involved billions of dollars in investment and experienced delays and political scandals.
Role of Russia
The plant is being built by Rosatom, the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company. Rosatom has become the world's leading exporter of nuclear reactors, providing a "one-stop shop" including financing, construction, fuel supply, and operation. A loan from Russia covered approximately 90% of the $13 billion cost.
Broader Strategic Context
According to analysts, Russia's nuclear deals often include wider strategic agreements, such as arms deals with Bangladesh. The nuclear industry has largely been exempt from Western sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, partly due to limited Western alternatives for enriched uranium.
Allegations and Concerns
In 2024, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission launched an investigation into alleged embezzlement of $5 billion related to the project. Rosatom denied the allegations, calling them "an attempt to discredit the Rooppur NPP project."