Ishwardi:A controlled nuclear reaction, known as criticality, was successfully achieved for the first time at Unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday. This marks a significant step toward commercial electricity generation in Bangladesh.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the nuclear reaction commenced around 330 PM on Sunday, as confirmed by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Ministry officials stated that several days of stability monitoring and sequential testing will now be conducted to ensure full operational safety.
Rooppur, located in Ishwardi, Pabna, is Bangladesh's first nuclear power facility, constructed with Russian technical and financial assistance. The plant is equipped with two advanced VVER-1200 reactors, which will collectively generate 2,400 megawatts of clean electricity once both units are fully operational. The initial phase of fuel loading for the first unit occurred in late April.
This development followed the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority's final approval on Thursday for electricity generation from the first unit of the country's largest power project, situated in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna. Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam indicated that preparations are underway to start supplying electricity to the national grid by late November. The plan is to complete the necessary stages successfully and gradually increase the unit's output capacity.
The commissioning process is being conducted in compliance with the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency.