Dhaka:The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) has granted approval for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) to commence operations of its first unit. Officials anticipate that the generation of electricity will begin by next month.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BAERA Chairman M Mahmudul Hasan has provided the necessary approval to start power startup activities at Unit 1 of Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant.
The first unit of the RNPP has an electrical generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW). Dr. Md Zahedul Hassan, the Managing Director of RNPP, stated that the project has nearly completed Stage B1, which involves the initial nuclear fuel loading and early subcritical checks. The process was conducted in accordance with guidelines from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Approval was granted after the completion of the B-2 phase physical tests and other necessary activities.
Dr. Hassan mentioned that if the required tests and commissioning activities go as planned, trial electricity supply to the national grid is expected to start next month. Despite the approval, several steps must be completed before Unit 1 can supply electricity to the grid, including entering Stage C, where reactor power will be gradually increased to test major equipment and systems under operating conditions.
Project documents indicate that the reactor will undergo staged power tests and equipment checks before being synchronized with the grid. Officials noted that a key milestone will be achieving generator synchronization with the national grid to evaluate the plant's capability to provide a steady electricity supply.