Pabna: The first unit of the Russian-built nuclear power plant at Rooppur, Pabna (RNPP), with a capacity of 1200 MW, is expected to commence production in December this year or January 2025 as per the schedule, officials stated today. The unit will gradually start producing power to its optimum level once the trial operation begins, according to Dr. Md Zahedul Hassan, the managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), speaking to BSS.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the unit-1 will undergo constant trial operation for ten months with the loading of fuel, requiring one month for fuel loading at the unit. Dr. Hassan emphasized the necessity for a series of tests to ensure the standard and quality of the RNPP, marking it as the country’s first-ever nuclear plant.
RNPP officials highlighted that the plant would require approximately 2000 trained personnel for maintenance and operational tasks. Currently, around 1000 individuals have been trained to operate the plant upholding international standards, with additional training programs underway to enhance their skills.
In a related development, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) has completed a test of the power transmission line through its newly constructed Rooppur-Gopalganj grid line. PGCB’s acting chief engineer, M Delwar Hossain, noted that the testing of the 158km 400kV single circuit transmission line, with a capacity of 2000 MW, was completed on June 2, 2025, and it is ready for power transmission from May next year.
Hossain further mentioned that two additional transmission lines, including the Rooppur-Bogura 400 kV single circuit with a 2000 MW capacity completed in June 2024, and the Rooppur-Baghabari 230kV double circuit with a 2000 MW capacity completed in May 2022, are prepared to transmit electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
The PGCB is currently constructing two more transmission lines-Rooppur-Dhaka (Kaliakoir-Aminbazar) 400kv double circuit with a 4000 MW capacity and Rooppur-Dhamrai 230kv double circuit with a 2000 MW capacity-expected to be completed by June 2026.
According to RNPP project details, Russia’s Rosatom State Corporation successfully tested the reactor containment before the fuel loading at the first unit of the RNPP at Pakshey, Ishwardi in Pabna, in June. The documents confirmed full compliance with the containment design requirements and the highest safety standards.
Officials stated that a series of tests were conducted to confirm the structure’s tightness and ability to withstand internal loads that might occur under abnormal conditions. The RNPP unit is set to proceed with a series of ‘hot media tests,’ involving the primary coolant circuit heated to rated values and the generated steam.
Safety modes of the RNPP unit operation will also be tested, including the operation mode of devices providing steam discharge into the atmosphere. A Rosatom statement recently reiterated that safety is their most important priority, focusing on meeting all mandatory standards and requirements.
The RNPP is equipped with two VVER-1200 reactors, providing a combined capacity of 2400 MW for its two units. The project is being implemented with technical and financial assistance from Russia, adhering to the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) safety standards and other relevant guidance, alongside international good practices in plant construction.
The construction work on the RNPP commenced on November 30, 2017. Bangladesh secured the IAEA license for nuclear fuel import and storage at the Rooppur project after fulfilling all necessary requirements under the regulator’s guidelines. In February 2011, Rosatom, the state atomic energy corporation of the Russian Federation, signed an agreement with the Bangladesh government to build the project at Rooppur.