Nuclear power plants. On April 28, nuclear fuel loading commenced at Unit 1 of the Rooppur NPP. This marks the first step toward achieving initial criticality for the power unit. Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and Bangladesh Minister of Science and Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam gave symbolic permission for the nuclear fuel loading. A total of 163 fuel assemblies will be loaded into the reactor core. The reactor will then be brought to first criticality, after which the gradual power ascension will begin. At the next stage, known as “First Electricity,” the generated electricity will be fed into the national power grid of Bangladesh. “This project is another important step for Rosatom in developing global nuclear energy and strengthening friendly relations with our international partners. We are glad to participate, together with our Bangladeshi friends, in the construction of an advanced and reliable nuclear power plant, and we see further prospects for our cooperation,” Alexey Likhachev said.