Experimental power generation begins at Rooppur Unit 1

Experimental power generation has officially commenced at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna.

Trial power generation at the country's sole nuclear power facility was initiated on Friday afternoon (October 30).

Earlier on Thursday (October 29), the first unit received approval for the "Power Startup" or electricity generation process from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA).

In this phase, a self-sustaining chain reaction (nuclear fission) will be established for the first time, enabling the reactor to safely and continuously generate energy and power. All preceding tests and evaluations were completed successfully.

In accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines, Stage 'B1' of the Russian-assisted project was successfully concluded after resolving complexities related to the automatic pressure relief valve test. The project then progressed to Stage 'B2', preparing the nuclear reactor for primary operations, followed by achieving criticality.

Criticality is the stage where a controlled, self-sustaining chain reaction is established to steadily and safely generate power inside the reactor. Once power generation incrementally reaches 300 MW through these phased tests, commercial electricity supply to the national grid will begin.

Meanwhile, Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, announced in a press release on Thursday morning that it has commenced supplying nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the VVER-1200 reactor at Rooppur Unit 2.

-MT