Fire, failure and questions at Rooppur

The worsening power crisis has taken a politically sensitive turn following a fire at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) that damaged its internal server, disrupted internet services and destroyed some official documents.

While authorities have initially suspected an electrical short circuit, the incident has fuelled speculation over whether it was an accident or deliberate sabotage aimed at putting the present BNP-led government in a politically difficult position.

The question has gained significance as Bangladesh struggles with frequent power cuts and delays in securing additional electricity.

Reduced supplies from Adani Power, operational and management difficulties at the Rampal Power Plant and repeated delays at Rooppur have placed further pressure on the national grid. The situation has been compounded by disruptions in the regional energy market linked to the Iran war crisis.

The fire broke out at the old Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) office building inside the project site near Gate No 2 at around 4am on Monday. The plant’s internal server was damaged in the incident.

An electrical short circuit in an air conditioner was initially suspected to have caused the blaze. Rooppur authorities have formed an internal probe committee, which is reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the cause. Work is ongoing to restore internet services.

Several official documents were also damaged. The loss primarily seems not serious because backup copies of the files were available.

Internal internet services, however, have remained severely disrupted for two days because of damage to the server station.

There is, however, no evidence at present establishing that the Rooppur fire was an act of sabotage. An internal investigation is under way.

Nevertheless, the incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of foreign involvement in Bangladesh’s strategic power infrastructure, particularly the role of Indian companies and personnel, amid wider political tensions involving India and its perceived ally, the Awami League, now banned in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Adani Power has reduced electricity supplies to Bangladesh, while the Rampal Power Plant has faced operational and management problems. Together, these setbacks have exposed the vulnerability of a power system heavily dependent on a limited number of major generation projects and external supplies.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin supplying around 300MW of trial electricity to the national grid by late August or September 2026. Full commercial generation from Unit 1, with a capacity of 1,200MW, is targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.

However, the first unit’s grid connection has already been delayed after two safety valves failed to open automatically during testing. The valves are an important part of the plant’s safety system, and it remains uncertain when the problem will be fully resolved.

The fire incident has also revived concerns over fire-safety arrangements at Rooppur. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has previously expressed concern during visits to the plant over the adequacy of its fire-safety system.

According to sources, nuclear power plant standards require Rooppur’s fire station to have state-of-the-art technology and more than 200 personnel. At present, a conventional fire station is operating inside the plant with only 49 staff.

Rooppur authorities will engage their own trained personnel to ensure fire safety at the plant. Since fully trained manpower has yet to be appointed, traditional fire workers are currently serving at the plant.
The plant has sufficient equipment and can call neighbouring fire stations for assistance if necessary.

Once the dedicated fire station takes full charge, it is expected to handle emergencies independently.
However, Indian engagement in the power sector has come under scrutiny with the fire that has been occurred in RNPP.

Indian companies have participated in construction and installation work and supplied non-critical materials and equipment for the project.

India is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which controls global nuclear commerce, and therefore cannot directly participate in the construction of atomic power reactors. India is also not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which New Delhi considers discriminatory.

Besides, at Rampal, approximately 1,344 Indian workers were reported to have worked during peak construction and operational phases, although staffing numbers fluctuated. Earlier Global Energy Monitor data indicated that around 1,344 of roughly 1,802 foreign workers at the station were Indian nationals.

Investigative reports have also highlighted Indian personnel in key technical and managerial positions at the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPCL), with some initially seconded from India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

For now, sabotage remains an allegation, while an electrical short circuit is the preliminary suspected cause. What is clear is that Bangladesh can ill afford another setback: Adani supplies have fallen, Rampal has struggled with operational difficulties, and Rooppur’s safety-valve problem has delayed the arrival of 1,200MW of much-needed generation capacity.