Rooppur:Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant, located in Rooppur, Ishwardi of Pabna, is progressing towards initiating nuclear fission in its first unit. The regulatory approval of safety valve test results has paved the way for the next phase of commissioning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the plant, which has two units with a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW) each, could begin supplying electricity to the national grid on a trial basis as early as next month. Once both units are fully operational, they are expected to contribute a combined 2,400 MW to the national grid.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) officials noted that the initiation of heat production through nuclear fission in the first unit was initially planned for September. However, technical defects identified during safety valve testing delayed the process. After two rounds of high-pressure testing, the results were approved by the regulatory authority last Thursday.
These tests evaluated the control valves' functionality and included assessments of fire safety and radiation protection arrangements. The approval enables the project to move forward with further reactor commissioning activities. Achieving first criticality, increasing reactor power, starting the turbine, and supplying electricity to the grid are separate stages, each requiring completion of relevant technical and safety checks.
The next significant milestone is 'first criticality', where a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is established inside the reactor. This will be followed by various tests and observations, a process expected to take about a month, before reactor power is increased gradually.
Initially, the plant is set to supply around 300 MW to the national grid on a trial basis. Further testing and assessments will be needed before reaching commercial operation. Built with Russian technical assistance, Rooppur utilizes third-generation VVER-1200 reactor technology and could meet about 10 percent of Bangladesh's electricity demand when both units are fully operational.
Rooppur is designed for an operational life of 60 years, potentially extendable by 20 to 30 years, subject to technical upgrades and regulatory approval. Routine maintenance and fuel replacement will remain essential, with refuelling required approximately every 18 months.
Sheikh Mohammad Touhidul Islam, the joint secretary (Nuclear Power Wing) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, stated that Rooppur is not just an electricity generation project but an opportunity to enhance Bangladesh's technological capabilities and develop skilled human resources. The first unit is in the final preparation stages for generation, and uranium for the second unit has arrived.
Additional Secretary Abul Khair Md Akkas Ali remarked that the plant could reshape Bangladesh's electricity and economic landscape by supporting industrial production, attracting investment, and creating employment opportunities.
Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain described Rooppur as a historic milestone for the country's energy security, highlighting its potential to offer reliable electricity and peaceful nuclear technology applications.
The project has a long history of feasibility studies and international cooperation since the years following Bangladesh's independence. The arrival of nuclear fuel at the site in October 2023 marked a significant step towards commissioning. The BNP's 2008 election manifesto included a pledge to establish this plant, and the party's 2026 manifesto also supports the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the power sector.
As the first unit approaches its initial operational milestone, Rooppur is poised to play a crucial role in Bangladesh's long-term energy strategy, contingent on completing all commissioning stages according to safety and regulatory standards. The Ministry of Science and Technology's Nuclear Power Wing oversees the project, with technical assistance from Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom.