Russian Uranium Fuel Arrives in Bangladesh for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant

A special cargo aircraft carrying nuclear fuel uranium from Russia arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on the night of October 2. The uranium fuel was transported under tight security to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna District on October 3, according to Bangladeshi news sources.

The aircraft carrying the uranium fuel landed at Dhaka airport at around 11:43 p.m. on October 2. At around 7:15 a.m. on October 3, three trucks carrying the uranium fuel departed for the Rooppur project site under the security escort of the Bangladesh Army and arrived at the plant at around 12:20 p.m.

The uranium fuel that has now arrived is the first fuel shipment for Unit 2 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The project consists of two power-generating units, Unit 1 and Unit 2, each designed to generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, giving the plant a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts.

Nuclear fuel for Unit 1 of the Rooppur plant was first delivered to Bangladesh in 2023. The latest shipment is part of a planned series of deliveries of additional fuel required for Unit 1 as well as fuel needed to begin operation of Unit 2. The fuel will be delivered through a total of nine flights, with all shipments expected to arrive by December, according to reports.

The Bangladesh Army, police, and intelligence agencies provided tight security along the transportation route. Russian specialists also accompanied the shipment, according to reports.

The shipment was originally scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on September 24. However, the delivery was delayed because permission to use Pakistani airspace for the aircraft's route was not obtained. Pakistan explained that the issue was related to technical and procedural matters.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant and is being constructed with technology and assistance from Russia. Nuclear fuel loading for Unit 1 began in April 2026, and testing is continuing in preparation for electricity generation.

Source: The Daily Star