Rooppur power project seeks Tk25,593 crore cost increase

The cost of the Rooppur nuclear power plant is set to rise by Tk 25,593 crore, bringing the total budget to Tk 138,685 crore and pushing the project completion deadline to 2028. The revised proposal is expected to be presented today to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

If approved, this will mark the first cost revision for the 2,400 MW project, raising its original Tk 113,092 crore budget by roughly 23 percent. The plant’s initial completion target had been December 31, 2025.

Approved in 2016, the project is largely funded—around 90 percent—through a soft Russian loan. Planning Commission documents attribute the cost escalation to higher allocations for existing components, the addition of 10 new components, and depreciation of the taka against the US dollar.

As Bangladesh’s first nuclear project, limited prior experience led to underestimated costs for maintenance, spare parts, and advisory services. The revised development project proposal also increases allocations for 38 components, including expanded facilities at the residential Green City bloc, while additional requirements emerging over the long implementation period further pushed up costs.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, which oversees the project, cited the sharp depreciation of the taka—from Tk 80 per dollar at the project’s start to Tk 122.40 currently—as a key factor, along with exhausted allocations for advance payments, customs duties, and VAT. Delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and international sanctions on some Russian banks have extended both the loan agreement and construction timeline.

Project Director Md Kabir Hossain noted that despite the overall cost increase, Tk 166 crore has been saved in government expenditure by reducing allocations in 49 components, even as spending rose in 34 others.

Fuel Loading for Unit-1 Likely in February

Construction of unit-1 was completed last year, but technical testing remains unfinished. Following a recent site inspection, senior officials said fuel loading is expected in the last week of February, pending completion of final Russian requirements.

Md Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said preparations are complete and expressed hope the plant will be ready within the projected timeframe. If fuel loading begins as planned, physical start-up could occur by April, with power generation potentially starting by mid-year, though the schedule depends on successful testing and machinery inspections.

Hossain added that delays are primarily due to complications discovered during testing, which require resolution before proceeding, making precise timing for fuel loading uncertain.