Rooppur’s first unit gets approval to begin power generation

The long-awaited final approval to begin the power startup process at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna has been granted. 

On Thursday, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) formally issued the approval.

With the approval, the first unit is set to achieve its first self-sustaining chain reaction, marking the beginning of a controlled nuclear fission process. This will allow the reactor to gradually increase its power output in a controlled and safe manner.

The project has reached this stage following the successful completion of all previous tests and inspections.

Built in compliance with the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and with direct assistance from Russia, Stage B-1 of the power plant’s first unit has been successfully completed.

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The complications surrounding the recent test of the automatic pressure relief valves have also been resolved.

During the next stage, B-2, the nuclear reactor will be prepared for initial operation, after which the criticality phase begins. Once power generation is gradually increased to 300MW, electricity can be supplied commercially to the national grid.

Meanwhile, Russia has begun supplying the nuclear fuel required for the initial loading of the VVER-1200 reactor at the second unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom officially confirmed the development in a press release issued on Thursday morning.