3rd batch of uranium reaches RNPP

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) on Friday received its third batch of uranium amid tight security.

Talking to The Business Post, RNPP Project Director Dr M Shawkat Akbar said that the third shipment of uranium had arrived in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka via a special aircraft from Russia on Thursday.

He added that In line with the procedures observed during the first and second shipments, the nuclear fuel imported for the RNPP was safely transported by road, under the vigilant protection of the army. The uranium convoy entered the project area on Friday morning.

A total of seven fuel consignment for the initial batch of unit-1 is scheduled to arrive at Rooppur within this year. As per the agreement, Russia will provide the fuel for power generation in Rooppur at no cost for three years.

The first consignment of nuclear fuel (Uranium rods) for RNPP reached the project site on September 28, and the second batch reach on October 6.

RNPP aims to establish a 2,400MW nuclear power plant with two 1,200MW capacity units. The first reactor was loaded in October 2021, and the second reactor was installed in October 2022.

Once the nuclear fuel is loaded into the reactors, power generation can continue for one year before reloading is required.

The RNPP project, conceived in 2009, is expected to become operational with the first unit in July 2024 and the second in July 2025, following agreements and contracts with Russia.