Swapan Kumar Kundu:
At a time when Bangladesh is grappling with a persistent gap between electricity demand and supply, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) initially emerged as a source of optimism. However, owing to a range of global factors, the project has once again experienced delays. The plant is being constructed with two units using Russia’s VVER-1200 technology. Compared with nuclear power projects in other Asian countries, the construction cost of RNPP is notably high. Indeed, Bangladesh’s expenditure on nuclear power construction now exceeds that of countries such as the United States, France, Belgium, Japan, Finland, Slovakia, South Korea, China and India.
Highlights:
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- Comparative profitability of nuclear power
- Energy security and economic competitiveness
- Technology transfer and human capital development
- Regional development and infrastructure
- Climate commitments
- Towards a knowledge-based economy
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Key Challenges:
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- Ensuring the highest safety standards and robust regulatory oversight
- Establishing long-term and internationally coordinated solutions for nuclear waste management
- Recovering investment costs while keeping electricity affordable
- Improving public understanding and addressing misconceptions
- Strengthening emergency preparedness and independent supervision
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In fact, the implementation of the Rooppur project marks Bangladesh’s formal entry into the nuclear energy domain — an achievement of considerable diplomatic and strategic significance. The project has elevated the country’s standing among nations that utilise nuclear energy and has been designed in accordance with the safety standards and regulatory frameworks of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being constructed by Russia’s state-owned corporation Rosatom. According to available information, the cost of the main plant has increased, largely due to the depreciation of the Bangladeshi taka against the US dollar. As a result, the project cost has risen by 11.84 per cent. Under the first revised proposal, the total cost stands at BDT 1,26,479 crore, compared with BDT 1,13,093 crore in the original 2016 estimate. Consequently, exchange rate fluctuations alone have added approximately BDT 12,964 crore to the project cost.
Although nuclear power plants involve high upfront construction costs, the procurement of technological inputs is comparatively more stable. At a time when the import of oil, gas and coal has become increasingly challenging, nuclear energy has emerged as a preferred option worldwide. From a climate perspective, it offers clear advantages: fossil fuel combustion produces significant carbon emissions, whereas nuclear power generates electricity with minimal greenhouse gas output.
That said, repeated extensions to the Rooppur project timeline have caused frustration among the public. At a time when power distribution companies are seeking tariff increases, RNPP represented a long-held expectation of relief. A substantial portion of the national budget continues to be allocated to the power sector, yet structural vulnerabilities remain. Global conflicts, dollar shortages and disruptions in fuel supply have placed the sector under severe pressure. Despite efforts to maintain system stability, the burden on consumers has not eased.
The expectation is that RNPP will eventually meet around 20 per cent of the country’s electricity demand through an environmentally sustainable source. With a planned capacity of 2,400 megawatts from its two units, the plant is expected to play a significant role in easing Bangladesh’s power deficit.
Bangladesh’s development trajectory has long been intertwined with energy security. From an era of frequent load-shedding to one of expanding industrialisation, urban growth and digital transformation, reliable and affordable electricity has remained central to progress. In this context, the country’s first nuclear power plant represents more than an energy project—it is a potential catalyst for broader socio-economic change.
To sustain industrial expansion, urbanisation and a growing middle class, Bangladesh requires a long-term and stable energy supply. Heavy reliance on gas and coal has increasingly encountered environmental and resource constraints. Nuclear energy offers uninterrupted, large-scale and low-carbon power without the price volatility associated with fossil fuels.
Currently, per capita electricity consumption in Bangladesh is approximately 433 kilowatt-hours. To approach the levels of developed economies, this figure must rise to around 800 kWh by 2030 and 1,500 kWh by 2041. Electricity consumption remains a key indicator of economic development.
With 2,400 megawatts of capacity from Rooppur, dependence on expensive rental power plants and imported fuels could decline substantially. This would create a more stable operating environment for energy-intensive sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals and information technology, thereby improving Bangladesh’s attractiveness to foreign investors.
One of the project’s most notable outcomes is the development of specialised human resources. With support from Russia and the IAEA, thousands of Bangladeshi engineers, scientists and technicians are receiving training in nuclear technology, radiation safety and advanced engineering disciplines. These skills are expected to have spillover benefits in healthcare, agriculture, research and high-technology industries.
Drawing on the experiences of countries such as South Korea and India, Bangladesh could establish research institutions, laboratories, and specialised higher education centres around Rooppur, contributing to the emergence of a regional hub for scientific and technical expertise.
As with other large-scale infrastructure initiatives, RNPP has generated broader regional impacts. Roads, housing, healthcare facilities and educational institutions have expanded in Pabna and the surrounding areas. Local businesses, transport services and hospitality sectors have also experienced growth.
In addition, demand for construction materials, maintenance services, logistics and security has created new opportunities for local industries and entrepreneurs, contributing to improvements in the region’s socio-economic profile.
As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh must carefully balance development objectives with environmental protection. Nuclear power produces negligible greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.
By comparison, solar energy on the land currently occupied by Rooppur would generate only a fraction of the output—estimated at around 8 megawatts—due to land constraints and climatic limitations. Solar panels are also subject to efficiency degradation from dust, storms and ultraviolet exposure, and disposal systems for decommissioned panels remain underdeveloped. Coal-based power plants, meanwhile, impose long-term environmental and health costs that ultimately raise electricity prices.
Viewed over a long-term horizon, nuclear energy, despite its high initial cost, remains among the most stable and sustainable large-scale power options.
Beyond electricity generation, nuclear technology has applications across multiple sectors, including:
- Cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Advanced medical imaging
- Sterilisation of medical equipment
- Development of pest-resistant crops
- Long-term food preservation
- Soil and agricultural analysis
These applications have the potential to enhance productivity and service delivery in both healthcare and agriculture.
Achieving Bangladesh’s ambition of becoming a knowledge-based economy by 2041 will require sustained investment in science, innovation and high technology. The rigorous standards, research culture and technical discipline associated with nuclear projects can help raise capabilities across the broader technology ecosystem.
International experience suggests that countries mastering nuclear technology often develop complementary strengths in fields such as space science, information technology, medicine and advanced engineering. Rooppur could therefore serve as a foundation for longer-term technological development.
Key Challenges
Several critical challenges remain:
- Ensuring the highest safety standards and robust regulatory oversight
- Establishing long-term and internationally coordinated solutions for nuclear waste management
- Recovering investment costs while keeping electricity affordable
- Improving public understanding and addressing misconceptions
- Strengthening emergency preparedness and independent supervision
Effective governance will be essential if the project is to remain sustainable.
Beyond its technical and economic dimensions, RNPP represents a statement of national ambition. It signals Bangladesh’s aspiration to move beyond a low-cost, labour-dependent model towards one grounded in advanced technology and skills. Much like the Padma Bridge, Rooppur has the potential to become a symbol of confidence, capability and long-term vision.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is not simply an electricity generation project. Its potential impacts span industrial development, human capital formation, regional growth and international standing. If managed responsibly and supported by sound policy, RNPP could play a meaningful role in Bangladesh’s pursuit of sustainable growth, technological advancement and economic resilience — illuminating not only homes and factories, but the country’s future development path.
Swapan Kumar Kundu is a retired college teacher and media professional.
