Bangladesh is set to become the world’s 33rd country to generate electricity using nuclear energy. This milestone comes as the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins fuel loading.
The project, developed by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Rosatom, aims to enhance the nation’s energy security. The Rooppur plant has a total generation capacity of 2,400 megawatts, divided into two units of 1,200 megawatts each.
As of early Tuesday, uranium fuel loading started at Unit-1 of the plant. Officials expect around 300 megawatts of electricity to be supplied to the national grid on a trial basis by August.
If all goes according to plan, full-scale commercial generation may take up to ten months after trial generation begins. The Rooppur plant is projected to meet 10-12 percent of Bangladesh’s electricity demand.
The Rooppur project is Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure initiative. It represents a significant shift in the country’s approach to energy production and consumption.
In addition to advancements in nuclear energy, discussions on tax policy are also gaining traction. Recent estimates indicate that Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio hovers near 7%, one of the lowest in Asia.
A targeted inheritance or net-wealth levy could raise approximately $1.5-1.7 billion annually. However, implementing such taxes faces political challenges as they are often unpopular.
The International Monetary Fund predicts that by 2026, Bangladesh’s per capita GDP will surpass that of India. Currently, it is nearly double that of Assam.
This juxtaposition highlights both economic growth and ongoing challenges in tax revenue generation. As Bangladesh navigates these developments, its focus on nuclear energy could play a crucial role in its future economic landscape.
