Alexey Likhachev

Built World

Running Rosatom's African expansion

Rwanda's atomic energy board and Russia's state nuclear corporation signed a memorandum in Moscow in late October to develop small modular reactors, build a nuclear science centre and train Rwandan specialists. Rosatom describes it as a memorandum covering the assessment and development of nuclear infrastructure. No reactor model, site, price or construction timetable has been announced.

Updated Nov 1

Built World

Overseeing VVER-1200 supply to China

China's nuclear safety regulator cleared the Tianwan 7 reactor to push past 25% of its rated thermal output on October 16, after a four-day inspection. The Russian-built VVER-1200 unit first sent electricity to the grid on October 8.

Updated Oct 25

Built World

Expects Unit 1 power generation by late November 2026

Bangladesh's first nuclear reactor achieved first criticality on October 11 — a controlled, self-sustaining chain reaction at the Rooppur plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. The fission process, running since 3:34pm local time, produces heat that will eventually drive a turbine and feed the national grid.

Updated Oct 19

Built World

As of June 2026: Leading the build

Uzbekistan has never run a nuclear reactor. On June 4, 2026, by video link from an economic forum in St. Petersburg, the presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan started construction of the country's first one.

Updated Jun 4

Built World

As of May 2026: Attended Rooppur fuel-loading ceremony in person

Bangladesh first considered building a nuclear plant in 1961, when the site at Rooppur was still part of East Pakistan. Sixty-five years later, on April 28, 2026, technicians began lowering 163 uranium fuel assemblies into the core of Unit 1—the step that turns a construction project into a nuclear power station.

Updated May 31

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Overseeing final evacuation of Russian staff from Bushehr

A projectile struck 350 meters from Iran's only operating nuclear reactor on April 4, killing a security guard and damaging an auxiliary building. It was the fourth time ordnance has landed on or near the Bushehr nuclear power plant since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28.

Updated May 30