Originally posted in The Daily Sun on 12 January 2026
Rooppur nuke plant: Untouched by budget cuts
As Bangladesh trims development spending under mounting fiscal pressure, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant remains untouched, retaining full funding under the revised Annual Development Programme (RADP), even as other mega projects face deep, sometimes crippling cuts.
According to Planning Commission sources, the government has retained the full allocation of Tk10,011 crore for the nuke plant in the revised ADP for fiscal year 2025-26. This comes amid a broader reduction of Tk30,000 crore in the overall development budget, scaled down from Tk2.30 trillion to Tk2.00 trillion due to revenue shortfalls, foreign exchange constraints, and slow project implementation.
The revised programme is scheduled for final approval at the National Economic Council (NEC) today, a senior official told the Daily Sun.
Budget cuts hit other mega projects hard
The protection granted to the Rooppur power plant contrasts sharply with other large-scale projects. In the revised ADP, allocations for eight major projects have been cut by Tk12,254 crore – nearly 36% of their original combined funding. The transport and communication sector has been hardest hit, with allocations falling 34% overall. Urban transport projects, including metro rail lines, expressways, and rail modernization, have faced cuts ranging from 60% to over 90%.
Social sectors have also borne the brunt of austerity. Health allocations fell by up to 74%, with health education projects cut by nearly 79%. Secondary and higher education funding declined by over 50%.
Experts warn that such deep reductions could undermine human capital development, critical for long-term productivity growth.
“While Rooppur receives full funding, sectors that sustain our future workforce –healthcare, education, and research – have been significantly weakened,” said Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
“This may have long-term consequences for economic growth and social resilience,” she said.
Rooppur’s strategic importance
Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant, implemented with Russian technical and financial support, is expected to generate 2,400 megawatts of electricity, providing a stable baseload supply and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Policymakers view the plant as a strategic, long-term investment, justifying its protected status.
The project’s first unit was originally scheduled to begin operation in 2023, and the second unit in 2024. However, after several rounds of timeline revisions, the latest schedule set in December determined that fuel loading for Unit-1 will begin in early February. Trial power generation could start between March and April, feeding partial electricity into the national grid for the first time. Full commercial production from Unit-1 may only be possible by mid-2026, with output ramped gradually over 8-10 months. Unit-2 is scheduled to begin fuel loading toward the end of 2026, with provisional handover expected by December 2027.
Expert insight: Safety over speed
“Nuclear operations are extremely sensitive,” said a senior official of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are prioritising safety and quality over speed. Around 30 critical tests remain before fuel loading, and any deviation will require corrective action before moving forward.”
Prof Dr Md Shafiqul Islam of Dhaka University’s Department of Nuclear Engineering noted, “Bangladesh is already incurring significant costs without receiving electricity.
Interest, maintenance, and operational expenses continue daily. Any delays further increase fiscal and opportunity costs.”
The project’s original budget was set at Tk113,092.91 crore. Exchange rate fluctuations and higher component costs have added more than Tk26,181 crore, prompting the Planning Commission to consider a revised total cost of Tk139,274 crore and extend the completion deadline to June 2028.
Progress on the ground
Soikat Ahmed, focal point (Media) and senior scientific officer at the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, told the Daily Sun that Unit-1 is nearing completion, with physical construction and equipment installation largely finished. Trial operations are almost 100% complete, although full commercial output will be phased in gradually. Construction of Unit-2 is ongoing, with approximately 90% of physical works completed. Overall, the project is about 95% complete both financially and physically, with only minor works and tests remaining.
On energy strategy, he noted that Rooppur will significantly ease Bangladesh’s electricity demand, particularly in the northern region, and reduce reliance on single energy sources such as gas. He emphasised that energy diversification, including nuclear, gas, coal, and renewable sources, is essential for long-term national stability.
Soikat concluded that the project remains a top government priority. While minor delays and administrative adjustments are expected, the focus is on safe, controlled, and sustainable power generation rather than rushing the process. Officials emphasise that electricity output during the trial phase will not be regular or consistent. A stable power supply will only be ensured after full commissioning and formal handover.
