Bangladesh - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Bangladesh's first nuclear power reactor, Rooppur 1, a Russian-designed VVER-1200, was loaded with fuel in April-May 2026. A second VVER-1200 is also under construction at Rooppur.
Table Ba.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Cumulative carbon dioxide emissions avoided 1970-2025 (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2400 | 0 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
The Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan 2023 set out targets for nuclear capacity, with 2.4 GWe by 2030, a further 2.4 GWe by 2041 and another 2.4 GWe by 2050. A draft of a new plan, the Energy and Power System Master Plan (EPSMP), was issued in January 2026, and has not yet been finalized. The draft EPSMP envisages only 4.8 GWe nuclear capacity in total by 2050, including 2.4 GWe at Chittagong Hill Tracts in the country's southeast.
Table Ba.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | 2400 | - | 4800 | - | 7200 | 7200 | |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
With commissioning tests under way at Rooppur 1, Bangladesh will soon join the group of countries with operable nuclear power plants. The target of 7.2 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2050 is relatively practicable; however, due to the change of government since the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan 2023, there is uncertainty around the direction for future nuclear development.
| Country Category | Newcomer |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | High There is a strong commitment to completing Rooppur; however, the energy master plan is being reconsidered by the new government, future rankings will depend on the outcome of this review. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | Moderate-High Regulator, operator, legislation, safeguards, training and nuclear infrastructure are established, but Bangladesh has yet to accumulate any operating experience. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Moderate-High Two reactors are under construction, with fuel loading completed in one. However, schedules have slipped substantially, and no follow-on plant has progressed to comparable project definition. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate Delivery of the initial 2.4 GWe is now highly likely; reaching 7.2 GWe by 2050 is feasible but the new government might lower the country's nuclear capacity target. |