Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam spoke at the ICT Division conference room in Dhaka today. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Sept 03, 2026 (BSS)- Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam today said fuel loading has begun at the country’s nuclear power plant, but the target of supplying around 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid is facing a delay due to a problem with a valve.

He said the target was to supply around 300 megawatts to the national grid within six months of starting fuel loading on April 28.

“We have started fuel loading at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. We were supposed to provide electricity to the national grid within four to six months from the start of fuel loading. Around 300 megawatts was our target,” he said at a press conference at the ICT Division conference room marking 180 days of the BNP government.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad and ICT Division Secretary Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan were present.

The minister said the project had reached a critical stage, but one valve was not opening as expected despite temperature and pressure tests. Of three pairs of valves, one pair was working properly while problems had emerged with the other two pairs.

He said the valve was expected to open automatically at a pressure of 18.1, but it was not opening, preventing the project from moving to the critical stage.

“We are stuck here. There is nothing to rush in such a matter,” he said.

Faqir Mahbub Anam said scientists, including the chief Russian designer and other scientists, are working on the problem.

He said the process of removing, repairing, reinstalling and testing the valve was taking around one to one and a half months, causing the project to fall behind its target timeline.

The minister said he had discussed the matter with the company involved in the nuclear project and the scientists, the project director and the secretary concerned were continuously working on it.

He said during his visit to Washington last week, he had also raised the issue with a director general of Rosatom, who had assured him that more and stronger teams of scientists would be sent to identify the problem.

Faqir Mahbub Anam said such a large project could face some problems. Similar projects could take at least 10 years to start, while Bangladesh had begun its project after nine years, he said.

“So, I request you to be patient about our nuclear power plant. Inshallah, it will be the biggest project in Bangladesh,” he said.

The minister said the delay was unfortunate at a time when the country was facing electricity and gas crises, adding that if the nuclear project could be brought into operation at this moment, it would have a significant impact.

He compared the situation to a system in which most components work properly while a few may require replacement or repair.

On other activities under the science and technology sector, Faqir Mahbub Anam said improved diagnostic and treatment services had been provided to more than four lakh patients through 23 nuclear medicine institutions in the country.

He said necessary radiopharmaceuticals and medical equipment had also been produced and distributed.

The minister said 4,282 persons have so far received NST fellowships, 358 persons received support for research and innovation projects, and special research grants had been provided for 662 research projects to develop science-based human resources.

He said around Taka 50 crore had been provided to 480 educational institutions to purchase laboratory equipment and chemicals.

He said the government wanted to take science beyond research institutions and bring it to students in different regions through science exhibitions, science fairs, science quizzes and hands-on science activities.

To ensure food safety, he said the level of radioactivity had been tested on more than 12,000 food samples and technologies to extend food storage life.

The minister said research activities had also included digital arsenic testing kits, production technology for active pharmaceutical ingredients using local materials, development of high-yielding rice, and the achievement of capacity in genome editing.

He said an innovation fair would be held on September 12, inviting all to attend and provide suggestions and discuss how more work could be done.

He said the Prime Minister had agreed to attend the innovation fair as the chief guest