Rosatom Delivers Automated Control Systems for Bangladesh’s First Nuclear Power Plant
Rosatom has completed delivery of automated process control systems for Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.
The milestone marks a new stage in cooperation between Russia and Bangladesh in the field of peaceful nuclear energy and highlights the capabilities of Russian nuclear technologies.
The project included delivery of 22 subsystems covering automated process control systems and automated radiation monitoring systems (ARMS). These systems are designed to provide comprehensive equipment monitoring, precise control of plant operations and stable electricity output to Bangladesh’s national power grid.
The systems’ efficiency and reliability were confirmed through testing conducted under conditions closely matching real operating environments.
Notably, the automated radiation monitoring systems incorporate compact stand-mounted configurations for the first time. The design improves maintenance access while reducing the overall footprint of the equipment. Gleb Murashov, managing director for automated process control systems at RASU, described the solution as an important technological innovation that offers operational advantages for the plant.
A Modern Safety Standard
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being constructed about 160 kilometers from Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, and will become the country’s first nuclear power facility. The project is based on a Russian design using Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors. These units feature enhanced safety and reliability characteristics and comply with the most stringent international standards.
The plant’s multilayer safety architecture includes passive reactor core cooling systems designed to maintain safety even in the event of a complete external power loss. The combined capacity of the two units will total 2,400 MW, significantly expanding Bangladesh’s generating capacity while reducing dependence on imported energy resources.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Commissioning of Unit 1 at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to have a substantial impact on Bangladesh’s economy. Electricity generated by the facility will help meet the country’s growing domestic demand and support broader social and economic development.
The project also offers environmental benefits because nuclear generation does not produce carbon dioxide or other harmful atmospheric emissions during operation. That is expected to improve environmental conditions across the region.
Long-Term Partnership and Investment
The project is being financed through a major Russian state export credit worth $11.9 billion. Total project costs amount to $12.6 billion, while repayment of the loan is scheduled over 30 years beginning in March 2027.
Unit 1 at Rooppur has now entered key commissioning stages. Inspections of the reactor’s main equipment have been completed, and testing has been carried out on both technological systems and automated control systems. The startup process for the unit is already under way, and nuclear fuel will soon be loaded into the reactor core. The unit is scheduled to reach full capacity by December of this year, while Unit 2 is expected to enter operation in 2027.
The successful delivery of the automated control systems marks an important step toward full commissioning of the plant. It demonstrates Russia’s technological maturity in nuclear power engineering while also opening a new chapter for Bangladesh as it joins the group of countries operating nuclear-generated electricity.
