Rooppur to supply 300MW to nat’l grid next month: Envoy

Rooppur Power Plant Nears First Supply to National Grid

Thebangladaily.com – Bangladesh is expected to receive an initial 300 megawatts of electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant next month, marking a significant stage in the country’s effort to add a new large-scale source of generation to the national grid.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin shared the expected timeline during a meeting with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque at the FBCCI office in Gulshan on Wednesday. The planned supply represents the first phase of power from the Rooppur project.

Khozin said roughly 4,000 Russian engineers and specialists are engaged in addressing technical matters connected with the plant. Their work is focused on preparing the project for its next operational steps and enabling the first electricity delivery.

Energy Project Moves Toward Grid Connection

The arrival of 300MW from Rooppur would be an important development for Bangladesh’s electricity system. Large power projects require extensive technical preparation before their output can be integrated into a national transmission network, including coordination among plant operators, engineers and grid managers.

Rooppur has drawn attention not only because of its capacity but also because it is Bangladesh’s nuclear power project. The expected first-stage supply indicates progress from construction and technical preparation toward electricity production for consumers and businesses.

While the initial 300MW figure is only one phase of the project’s anticipated contribution, the planned connection carries broader importance for the country’s energy planning. A stable and well-managed addition to the grid can support industrial activity, commercial operations and household electricity demand as the economy continues to require dependable power.

The ambassador’s remarks came during discussions that also examined ways to strengthen economic links between Bangladesh and Russia beyond the energy sector.

Proposal for a Joint Business Council

Khozin said the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry has proposed forming a joint Russia-Bangladesh Business Council. The proposed platform would be aimed at increasing trade, investment and wider economic cooperation between the two countries.

A formal announcement on the plan could come during the Bangladesh-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting expected to be held in Dhaka in early November. Such a council could offer a more structured channel for business representatives to identify opportunities, exchange market information and develop commercial contacts.

The Moscow chamber is also planning a Russia-Bangladesh Business Forum in Moscow. The event is intended to bring together entrepreneurs from both countries for direct business-to-business meetings.

Khozin said the forum would include sessions focused on specific sectors, with meetings arranged around the profiles and interests of participating companies. This approach could help businesses move beyond general discussions by connecting firms that have compatible commercial needs, products or investment interests.

Bangladesh Seeks a Broader Trade Base

During the meeting, FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque called for greater attention to emerging sectors in bilateral commerce, alongside Bangladesh’s established readymade garment industry. He identified pharmaceuticals, leather and leather goods, jute and jute-based products, ceramics, and the export of Bangladeshi workers as areas that could offer room for expansion.

The emphasis on diversification reflects the value of developing trade across several industries rather than relying mainly on a single export category. Bangladesh has built international recognition in garments, but access to additional markets for other products can help companies reach new customers and create wider business connections.

Pharmaceutical exports were among the issues discussed. Khozin said Russia’s Health Ministry is examining the legal and procedural matters involved in importing generic medicines from Bangladesh. Progress in this area would be relevant to manufacturers seeking to enter or expand in the Russian market, where regulatory approval and compliance procedures are central to overseas sales.

Leather products may also hold potential. Khozin noted demand in Russia for heavy footwear and leather goods suited to severe winter conditions. For Bangladeshi producers, this points to the importance of matching product design, material quality and durability to the needs of the destination market.

Employment Opportunities for Bangladeshi Workers

Labour mobility was another part of the discussion. Khozin said Russia has issued visas to about 3,000 Bangladeshi workers in recent months. Employment prospects have emerged in agriculture, fisheries, shipbuilding and service-related fields.

For prospective workers, these sectors represent a range of opportunities with different skill requirements. The expansion of lawful employment channels can also support closer people-to-people links between the two countries, alongside trade and investment relations.

The meeting highlighted how Bangladesh-Russia cooperation now spans several connected areas: energy development, business networking, goods exports, medicine trade procedures and employment. The Rooppur project remains one of the most visible symbols of the relationship, but the proposed business council and Moscow forum suggest a parallel effort to deepen private-sector engagement.

Both sides expressed optimism that stronger coordination between government institutions and businesses would help advance commercial ties. As the expected first 300MW from Rooppur approaches, the discussions in Dhaka underscored an agenda that reaches beyond electricity generation and toward a broader economic partnership.