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Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1
Safety valve flaw resolved; path cleared for power generation
Published : Thursday, 1 October, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
In a major milestone for Bangladesh’s nuclear energy program, the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) successfully completed high-pressure safety tests on Wednesday (September 30) following the resolution of a critical valve flaw.
Dr. Md. Zahedul Hassan, Managing Director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), confirmed that the Pressure Operated Relief Valve (PORV/POSV)—a crucial component for managing pressure in the reactor's primary cooling system—was tested at 16 Megapascals (MPa).
The tests were executed from both the Main Control Room (MCR) and Emergency Control Room (ECR). Controllers verified the functionality and response times of the main safety valves, alarm triggers, and associated procedural parameters under strict safety protocols. The technical issue, which had earlier delayed grid synchronization, was resolved following joint interventions by Bangladeshi experts and a five-member Russian specialist team that arrived at the site on September 22.
The success of the 16 MPa test clears the way for an upcoming 18 MPa test as part of the phased commissioning protocol.
Concurrently, preparations are underway to receive the first consignment of nuclear fuel (uranium) for RNPP’s second unit. The shipment is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka via a chartered flight on Friday (October 2) before being transported to the Ishwardi project site under specialized security on Saturday (October 3).
According to Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom, the complete nuclear fuel supply for Unit-2 will be delivered across seven chartered flights between October and December 2026.
Constructed under a G2G financial and technical agreement with Russia, the total revised cost for the Rooppur project stands at approximately Tk 1,38,700 crore.
-SA
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
