The test run of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) will commence shortly, according to Alexey Likhachev, the Director General of ROSATOM, the Russian State Corporation for Nuclear Energy. Likhachev made the announcement on Wednesday during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.
Likhachev explained that while the dry run of the project is currently underway, the test run will begin soon, marking a significant step toward the completion of the landmark nuclear energy project.
During the meeting, Chief Adviser Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s interest in expanding cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy, particularly in advancing peaceful nuclear technology. He praised ROSATOM for its continued support in the development of the RNPP and highlighted the importance of the timely completion of the plant to meet Bangladesh’s growing energy needs.
“We are looking forward to your support, which is very important for us,” Yunus told Likhachev, reaffirming the collaborative spirit between the two countries in the RNPP project.
Likhachev, in turn, updated Yunus on the progress of the project, stating that construction is proceeding as planned and that several milestones have already been achieved. He reiterated that ROSATOM is committed to ensuring the successful completion of the plant, emphasizing the importance of safety, quality, and adherence to international standards throughout the process.
Both sides also discussed the potential revision of the Intergovernmental Credit Agreement (IGCA), proposing an extension of the credit utilization period until the end of 2026. They agreed to sign Protocol No. 2 to the IGCA shortly, following all necessary formalities.
In addition to technical and financial matters, the meeting also covered the importance of continued cooperation in training personnel, ensuring safety protocols, and facilitating knowledge transfer to ensure the long-term success of the RNPP project.
The meeting was attended by key officials from both Bangladesh and Russia. Among the Bangladeshi attendees were Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser Siraj Uddin Mia, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Md Mokabbir Hossain, and Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky. On the Russian side, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin, Deputy Chairman of the Federal Environmental, Industrial, and Nuclear Supervision Service Alexey Feropontov, ROSATOM’s First Deputy Director General Andrey Petrov, and Alexey Deriy, Vice President of ASE JSC and Project Director of the Rooppur NPP, were present.
Likhachev, who is currently on a one-day visit to Bangladesh, previously visited the country in April 2024. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is a critical project for Bangladesh, aimed at bolstering the country’s energy security and contributing to the diversification of its power generation sources.
 will commence shortly, according to Alexey Likhachev, the Director General of ROSATOM, the Russian State Corporation for Nuclear Energy.){kind=link}