Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant, Rooppur, is poised to become fully operational by 2028 with two Russian-designed reactors, supplying up to 15% of the nation's electricity. This $12.65 billion project, contracted with Russia's Rosatom, is seen by many developing countries as a potential blueprint to meet the energy demands of industrializing economies and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The plant, located on the Padma River, has attracted local tourists and signifies Bangladesh's bet on nuclear power to achieve energy security, especially following global events that have highlighted vulnerabilities in fossil fuel supply chains.
The project, while ambitious, has faced significant challenges. Its cost in local currency has increased by almost a quarter since its approval a decade ago due to the weakening of the Bangladeshi Taka against the US dollar. Construction delays, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Iran war, pushed the original 2023 commissioning timeline for the first unit to early 2027, with the second unit following in 2028. Md Shafiqul Islam, a professor of nuclear engineering at Dhaka University, noted that these delays incurred massive financial implications, preventing the country from trimming its fossil fuel import bill sooner.
Despite the cost escalations and delays, the Bangladeshi government views the Rooppur plant as a competitive and vital asset. Md Zahedul Hassan, managing director at Nuclear Power Plant Co Bangladesh, stated that while specifics on generation cost are not disclosed, it will provide value for money. The plant is expected to meet Bangladesh's baseload capacity needs for the next five to seven years, allowing for accelerated renewable energy installations and grid modernization. Moreover, the long-term supply assurance, safeguards against supply chain issues, and the relatively low cost of generation compared to imported fossil fuels strengthen the case for nuclear power in emerging economies.
Looking ahead, Bangladesh is exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) as a strategic hedge against future energy shocks. The country is in early discussions with suppliers like Rolls-Royce Holdings and Chinese manufacturers for SMRs ranging from 300MW to 400MW, which are smaller, quicker to deploy, and carry lower liabilities compared to large-scale plants. However, experts like Toby Dalton from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace caution that governments must establish a competent workforce, a credible regulatory body, public approval, and mechanisms for spent fuel handling to ensure sustainable nuclear power operations. The global market for nuclear technology remains concentrated, offering a limited number of suppliers and leading to long-term commitments for purchasing nations.
