Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy has said the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin operation by the end of this year.
He made the announcement on Sunday while addressing a special event in Dhaka marking Russia Day.
“This year is significant as we celebrate 80 years of victory in World War II and 80 years since the establishment of the Soviet nuclear industry,” said the ambassador. “In this historic context, the progress of the Rooppur project carries deep importance.”
He said the work is progressing rapidly thanks to close collaboration between Russian and Bangladeshi engineers. “Preparations for launching the first unit are now at the final stage,” he added.
Ambassador Mantytskiy described the Rooppur project as not only a technological milestone but also a strong example of the strategic partnership between Russia and Bangladesh. “Through this project, Bangladesh is entering a new chapter in its energy sector,” he noted.
The plant is being constructed with the assistance of Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom. Each unit will have a capacity of 1,200 megawatts. Construction officially began in 2016, and the first unit is currently in the testing phase.
With an estimated investment of around $12 billion from Russia, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is considered one of the largest infrastructure projects in Bangladesh’s history.
