Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Project Faces Financial and Operational Hurdles

• The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh is nearing commissioning with the arrival of Russian uranium fuel.
• Completion of the first unit is at 98%, while the second remains at 91% for civil works.
• Project costs have surged by 23% to Tk138,685 crore due to currency depreciation and delays.
• Operational timelines have been extended to June 2028.

Economic and Financial Challenges

• Independent estimates place the levelised cost of energy at approximately Tk10.34 to Tk11.94 per kilowatt-hour, significantly higher than official preliminary projections.
• Approximately 90% of the project's $12.65bn cost is funded by Russian loans.
• Debt repayment is scheduled to begin in September 2028, requiring roughly $599m annually for 19 years.
• Repayment costs alone are expected to add at least Tk4.10 per unit to electricity generation, potentially increasing consumer living costs.

Operational Oversight and Personnel

• Plant personnel count has shifted from 24,000 during peak construction to 12,000 for the operational phase.
• The government is negotiating service contracts with Russia for maintenance and technical support.
• International oversight includes upcoming reviews by the IAEA through EPREV and INIR missions in late 2026.