Rooppur plant achieves first successful nuclear reaction

Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has achieved its first nuclear reaction, marking a major milestone in the country’s nuclear power generation programme.

Science and Technology Secretary Anwar Hossain confirmed the development on Sunday, saying the reaction took place in the plant’s first unit at 3:34pm.

“All parameters are within the required limits so far. There is nothing to fear regarding radiation levels,” he said.

On October 8, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) granted final approval for electricity generation from the first unit of the country’s first nuclear power plant.

Built with Russian assistance, the plant uses a third-generation VVER-1200 reactor designed with advanced safety systems.

Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said the authorities were working towards starting electricity supply to the national grid by the end of November.

According to guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the first unit has largely completed stage B1 of the commissioning process. The difficulties encountered during the final test of the automatic pressure relief valve have also been resolved.

The next stage, B2, involves preparing the reactor for initial operation, followed by criticality — the stage at which a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is established.

The reactor’s power output will then be gradually increased under controlled conditions. Once it reaches 300 megawatts, electricity supply to the national transmission grid is expected to begin commercially.