RNPP UNIT-1 BEGINS POWER START-UP

The first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) began power start-up operations on Friday and started using the electricity it generated for internal needs, marking Bangladesh’s first step towards producing nuclear power.

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) Chairman Mahmudul Hasan said that operations on Unit-1 began on Friday morning, a day after the regulator granted start-up permission on Thursday, reports BSS.

“Power start-up operations for Unit-1 commenced this morning after getting permission on Thursday,” he said, adding that tests for power generation began following the approval. “We seek everyone’s prayers for the successful commencement of electricity generation at the plant.”

He said the electricity generated is currently being used for the plant’s internal activities.

“We are currently conducting turbine check, which will continue. Once power generation reaches 300 megawatts (MW), another inspection will be carried out. If everything is found satisfactory, permission will be granted to supply electricity to the national grid,” he said.

According to the RNPP project, Unit-1 must obtain one more certification, known as D, before it can supply nuclear power to the national grid. The project details say it will take 15-20 days to reach the next stage, supplying power to the grid on a trial basis.

Separately, Russia’s Rosatom said it had begun supplying nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the VVER-1200 reactor at Unit-2. It said Unit-1 must undergo further power ascension tests and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals before it is connected to the national grid and begins trial commercial operations.

RNPP, Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant, comprises two Russian-designed Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors with a combined generating capacity of 2,400MW.

Rosatom’s Engineering Division is the general designer and general contractor of the project. Once Rooppur supplies power to the grid, Bangladesh will become the 33rd country in the world to produce nuclear power.