Rooppur Unit-1 achieves first nuclear chain reaction

Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project reached a major commissioning milestone on Sunday, as Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant achieved its first controlled nuclear chain reaction, bringing the 1,200MW reactor a step closer to electricity generation.
The milestone marks the reactor’s entry into the initial criticality stage, officials said. However, further technical tests and safety checks are required before the unit can supply electricity to the national grid.
Md Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, confirmed the development, saying all necessary compliance procedures, technical requirements and external certifications had been completed before the process began.
“We achieved the chain reaction smoothly at 3.34pm today. By the grace of Allah, the parameters were within the desired ranges and the reactor was very stable,” he said.
Preparations began the previous night, with Russian specialists, Bangladeshi experts and other technical personnel present to observe the process and assess the reactor’s performance.

Anwar said the team had confirmed that the transition was smooth and successful. Nuclear fuel had already been loaded into the reactor, allowing the fission process to begin.
In a nuclear reactor, controlled fission splits uranium atoms, releasing heat that is used to produce steam to drive turbines and generate electricity.
Further tests ahead
Achieving criticality is a key stage in reactor commissioning. Engineers monitor neutron activity and other operating parameters to ensure the chain reaction remains controlled and stable.
Unit-1 must now undergo further technical tests and safety checks before progressing towards electricity generation and connection to the national grid.
Hossain said technical teams were working to complete the remaining stages as quickly as possible, while ensuring compliance with all required procedures and safety standards.
Located in Ishwardi, Pabna, the Rooppur plant is being built using Russian VVER-1200 pressurised water reactor technology supplied by Rosatom. Its two units are designed to generate 1,200MW each, giving the plant a planned total capacity of 2,400MW.

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