Top! Indonesia's Muslim Neighbour Finally Uses Nuclear Power, Begins Loading Uranium
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Bangladesh has officially begun loading uranium fuel into its first nuclear power plant on Tuesday (28/04/2026). This step is crucial for the South Asian nation to operate the 2,400-megawatt facility in order to relieve the pressure on its heavily burdened national electricity grid.
Citing Russia Today, the Bangladeshi government projects that once fully operational, the plant will meet up to 10% of the electricity needs for its 170 million population. The introduction of nuclear energy serves as a new pillar amid the energy crisis currently plaguing the country.
Construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) began in 2017 with a total investment of US$11 billion (Rp189.78 trillion). The government hopes that initial electricity production of 300 megawatts can start flowing to the grid in August, before gradually reaching full production by the end of 2027.
Senior scientific information officer at the plant, Saikat Ahmed, explained that the fuel loading process marks the beginning of the physical operational phase of the reactor.
“A controlled nuclear fission chain reaction will begin in the reactor core after the fuel loading is complete. This marks the start of the physical start-up phase,” Ahmed told AFP.
This step is being taken as Bangladesh’s electricity grid continues to face pressure every year, particularly during the summer when air conditioning usage surges dramatically. The situation is further worsened by energy restrictions due to the global crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East.
Bangladesh itself is heavily reliant on foreign energy supplies, with 95% of its oil and gas needs imported. Disruptions in energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of war in late February have driven up costs and caused serious domestic supply shortages.
Bangladesh’s Minister of Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, expressed optimism that the plant will soon provide a tangible contribution to national energy stability in the near future.
“It is hoped that the power plant will supply around 300 megawatts of electricity to the grid in August,” Anam stated.
Nevertheless, experts warn that operating a nuclear power plant requires high precision and very strict testing at every stage. Professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Dhaka, Shafiqul Islam, emphasised that safety aspects remain the top priority before full-scale production begins.
“This is a complex and sensitive phase, and every aspect of safety and security will be further evaluated before full-scale production,” Islam said.