Rooppur cleared for trial power generation

PABNA, Oct 29: The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna has received regulatory clearance to enter the final stage of preparations for electricity generation, paving the way for its first unit to supply power to the national grid on a trial basis, potentially in December.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) approved Unit 1’s entry into Stage C, known as the power startup stage, on Thursday after satisfactory results from the preceding physical tests.

BAERA Chairman Md Mahamudul Hasan said the approval would allow the unit to proceed with power startup and gradually begin generating electricity.

During Stage C, reactor power will be increased gradually, producing heat to generate steam in the secondary circuit. The steam will drive a turbine connected to a generator. 

The reactor, cooling systems, turbine, generator and associated control and protection systems will be closely monitored throughout the process.

Mohammad Zahedul Hasan, managing director of the Nuclear Power Plant Company of Bangladesh Ltd (NPCBL), said the process would begin at zero power and proceed through a series of operational tests.

Trial electricity supply could begin when reactor power reaches around 30 per cent of its capacity, allowing the unit to generate approximately 300 megawatts. The initial grid connection is expected in December, subject to successful testing and regulatory requirements.

The unit achieved its first nuclear fission reaction on October 11 after receiving regulatory approval. Its startup had been delayed from September following problems identified during safety valve testing.

Former project director and former Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission chairman Dr Mohammad Shawkat Akbar described Stage C as a critical transitional phase, during which reactor heat and pressure would be increased progressively under strict safety supervision.

NPCBL officials said systematic tests would demonstrate safe, stable and reliable operation before the unit advances to pilot operation. Trial generation could continue for seven to eight months.

Located on the banks of the Padma River in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna, the $12.65 billion project is being implemented with Russian financial and technical assistance. Russian contractor Atomstroyexport is building two VVER-1200 reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts.

Once fully operational, the two units are designed to supply 2,400 megawatts to the national grid.

The project deadline has been extended to June 2028, while the estimated cost has risen to Tk1,38,686 crore, partly due to exchange-rate changes.