Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Reactor Hits Major Milestone: What It Means For South Asia

Bangladesh has taken a major step towards nuclear power as the first reactor at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant achieved first criticality on October 11. The milestone marks the start of a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, but the reactor is not yet supplying electricity to the national grid. Built by Russia’s Rosatom, the project has also involved Indian nuclear engineers who trained their Bangladeshi counterparts. With a planned combined capacity of 2,400 MW, Rooppur could strengthen Bangladesh’s energy security. But costs, safety, commissioning delays and regional geopolitics remain key questions for South Asia.