Mumbai : Rosatom has completed the first shipment of nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the VVER 1200 reactor at Unit 2 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh (the general contractor and general designer being the Engineering Division of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom). The fuel assemblies manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP, an enterprise of Rosatom’s Fuel Division), have been transported via a dedicated cargo flight.
Earlier, in autumn 2026, fresh nuclear fuel was shipped from Siberia to Bangladesh to enable the first-ever refueling at Unit 1 (it will be carried out after the reactor has completed its first annual fuel cycle.).
Upon arrival at the NPP site, the containers holding the fuel assemblies were placed in a dedicated storage facility for fresh nuclear fuel. All items undergo mandatory incoming inspection, which includes both visual and instrumental checks to confirm compliance with the requirements set out in the technical documentation. The incoming inspection is conducted by a joint commission comprising specialists from the Bangladeshi customer, the general contractor, and the manufacturer, in strict accordance with nuclear and radiation safety regulations.
In 2026, Rosatom’s Engineering Division completed loading of nuclear fuel, manufactured by NCCP, into the VVER 1200 reactor core at Unit 1. In October 2026, the reactor reached the minimum controlled power level. Engineers will now progressively increase the reactor’s power output to nominal levels. These operations precede the unit’s grid connection and subsequent pilot commercial operation.
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