As Bangladesh nears the commercial launch of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) in early 2026, energy experts are raising concerns over its financial sustainability.
The project, initially estimated at $12.65 billion, is largely financed by a Russian state loan of $11.385 billion at an interest rate of up to 4%. However, rising exchange rates have significantly increased its cost in local currency, raising questions about its economic viability.
The project, undertaken with the Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom, was expected to have its first 1,200 MW unit operational by 2022 and the second by 2023. However, both have faced delays, with the second unit unlikely to start before 2027.
Uncertainty remains over the electricity tariff from RNPP. The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) has yet to finalise a tariff proposal, while the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has estimated a minimum tariff of Tk 10 per unit. Initial projections suggested a much lower rate of $0.04 (Tk 3.50 at the time), but cost escalations and currency depreciation have altered the calculations.
