Rooppur Unit 1 undergoes safety inspection

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA), along with technical specialists and experts from Russia’s Rosatom VO-Safety team, has launched an inspection programme at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant ahead of the planned power startup of Unit 1.

The team will assess the plant’s technical, operational and safety aspects from October 11 to 17 to ensure that requirements are met for Unit 1 to proceed to the next stage of commissioning.

“Regulators will examine relevant systems, documentation, operational readiness and the implementation of safety measures before power levels are increased,” an official said.

According to project authorities, Unit 1 achieved reactor criticality at 3:34pm local time on October 11. Criticality marks the establishment of a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in the reactor, but does not mean the plant has begun supplying electricity to the national grid.

The inspection programme is a key regulatory step in preparations for the reactor’s power startup.

Following the inspections, the findings will be assessed and the necessary regulatory procedures completed before the project can proceed to the next stage, the official said.