RNPP gears up for test run: ROSATOM extends credit utilisation period until 2026
Staff Reporter :
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) is set to begin its test run shortly, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s nuclear energy aspirations, stated Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s State Corporation for Nuclear Energy (ROSATOM), on Wednesday.
“The dry run of the project is currently underway, and the test run will commence soon,” Likhachev said during a high-level meeting with the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing.
In their discussions, Prof. Yunus emphasised Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in nuclear energy, highlighting shared interests in peaceful nuclear technology. He underscored the crucial role of nuclear power in ensuring energy security and expressed optimism about Russia’s continued support for the timely completion of the RNPP.
“We are looking forward to your support, which is vital for us,” Prof. Yunus conveyed to the ROSATOM chief, reiterating the importance of adhering to the project’s timeline to meet Bangladesh’s growing energy demands.
A key item on the meeting’s agenda was the proposed revision of the Intergovernmental Credit Agreement (IGCA), specifically extending the credit utilisation period until the end of 2026. Both sides agreed to formalise this extension through Protocol No. 2 to the IGCA, ensuring compliance with all necessary formalities.
Likhachev, who led the Russian delegation, reaffirmed ROSATOM’s unwavering commitment to the successful completion of the RNPP, assuring that construction is progressing as planned, with several key milestones already achieved.
“Any decision made by the people of Bangladesh is sacred for us,” he remarked, signalling Russia’s continued dedication to its partnership with Bangladesh in nuclear development.
Both parties stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration beyond the construction phase, particularly in areas such as staff training, safety protocol implementation, and knowledge transfer-essential components for ensuring the long-term viability and operational safety of the nuclear facility.
On the Bangladeshi side, the meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser Siraj Uddin Mia, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Md Mokabbir Hossain, and Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky.
The Russian delegation included Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin, Deputy Chairman of the Federal Environmental, Industrial, and Nuclear Supervision Service Alexey Feropontov, ROSATOM’s First Deputy Director General Andrey Petrov, and Vice President of ASE JSC and RNPP Project Director Alexey Deriy.
Likhachev’s visit, though brief, marks a continuation of Russia’s active engagement in Bangladesh’s nuclear development. Earlier, he visited Bangladesh in April 2024, further reinforcing the strategic nature of the two nations’ cooperation in the energy sector.
Both parties have committed to ensuring the success of the project while adhering to international safety and quality standards.