Ishwardi:Rooppur Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant, located in Ishwardi, Pabna, is advancing towards initiating nuclear fission in its first unit. This progress follows the approval of safety valve test results by regulators, marking a critical step towards further commissioning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, project officials have indicated that if work continues as planned, the plant could begin supplying electricity to the national grid on a trial basis as early as next month. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant consists of two units, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW), potentially contributing a total of 2,400 MW to the national grid once fully operational.
Officials from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority noted that the heat production through nuclear fission in the first unit was initially scheduled for September. However, technical issues during safety valve testing caused delays. The approval of test results, which included examinations of fire safety and radiation protection, now allows the project to advance with further reactor commissioning.
The next significant step is achieving 'first criticality', a controlled nuclear chain reaction within the reactor. This process involves a series of tests and observations that could last about a month, with reactor power gradually increasing thereafter. Initially, the plant is expected to supply approximately 300 MW to the national grid on a trial basis, pending additional testing and technical evaluations for commercial operation.
Constructed with Russian technical assistance, Rooppur employs VVER-1200 reactor technology. Estimates suggest that the plant could meet around 10 percent of Bangladesh's electricity demand when both units are fully operational. The plant is designed for a 60-year operational life, potentially extendable subject to technical upgrades and safety assessments.
Sheikh Mohammad Touhidul Islam, joint secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology's Nuclear Power Wing, expressed that Rooppur is not just an electricity generation project but an opportunity to enhance technological skills and human resources in Bangladesh. Uranium for the second unit has already arrived, with hopes for early completion of the project.
The plant is anticipated to significantly impact Bangladesh's electricity and economic landscape, supporting industrial production, attracting investment, and creating jobs. The project has a long history of feasibility studies and international cooperation, with the arrival of nuclear fuel in October 2023 marking a crucial milestone towards commissioning. The Ministry of Science and Technology's Nuclear Power Wing coordinates project progress, with technical assistance from Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom.