Bangladesh anticipates initiating nuclear power generation at the 2,400-megawatt Rooppur nuclear power plant by late 2024 or early 2025, as Russia completes fuel delivery via air cargo due to shipping sanctions. Russia, delivering the nuclear fuel in seven air cargoes to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, overcame obstacles posed by Western sanctions linked to the Ukraine war. The fuel, transported to the Rooppur site, has incurred costs covered by Russian state nuclear company Rosatom.
Despite US and EU sanctions on Russian vessels, the Rooppur project’s ongoing works remain unaffected, with the first power from Unit-1 expected by late 2024 or early 2025. Repayment challenges arise from sanctions on Russian banks, impacting dues for the Rooppur project’s construction loan. In April 2022, Bangladesh and Russia agreed to repay the loan in yuan, using China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System.