Bangladesh joins global nuclear energy community with Rooppur milestone

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Bangladesh has officially joined the global nuclear energy community following the completion of the first power unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s first nuclear facility.

The milestone was highlighted by Andrey Timonov, Director of the Communications Department of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, during a plenary session at the International Festival of Youth (IFY-2026) in Yekaterinburg on September 16.

Timonov said Rosatom completed construction of the first unit this year in cooperation with Bangladeshi partners, while commissioning activities began during the summer.

He described the project as a major step toward meeting Bangladesh’s energy needs and accelerating the country’s technological development.

Speaking about his visits to Bangladesh, Timonov praised the country’s people and natural beauty. He said Bangladesh had moved from a time when nuclear energy seemed out of reach to becoming a new nuclear power in the peaceful sense of the term.

He also highlighted growing interest among Bangladeshi young people in studying nuclear energy in both Russia and Bangladesh.

According to Timonov, the idea of establishing a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh dates back to the Soviet era. He said the Rooppur project represents more than an energy facility, describing it as a symbol of national pride and development.

The IFY-2026 was held in Yekaterinburg from September 11 to 17 under the theme “Follow Your Dream.” The festival received more than 113,000 applications worldwide and brought together 10,000 participants from 191 countries. Around 90 Bangladeshi delegates attended the event, according to a press release.