Pabna, Apr 28 (V7N) — The long-awaited fuel loading process at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins today, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s energy sector. If successful, authorities expect at least 300 megawatts of electricity from the plant’s first unit to be added to the national grid.

A formal inauguration ceremony has been scheduled at 3:00 PM on Tuesday at the project site.

According to officials, Anwar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, will address the ceremony. The event will be chaired by the minister in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, along with the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Located on the banks of the Padma River in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna, the project began its main construction work on November 30, 2017, after receiving the Design and Construction License for Unit-1.

Following the completion of construction, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority issued the commissioning license for the first unit on April 16, allowing the project to move forward with fuel loading and initial power generation.

The start of fuel loading is a crucial step toward making the country’s first nuclear power plant operational, which is expected to significantly boost electricity production and enhance energy security.

END/SMA/AJ