Bangladesh’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) has approved the start of power startup activities at Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), paving the way for trial electricity generation as early as next month.
BAERA Chairman M Mahmudul Hasan granted the approval after the unit completed the required Stage B-2 physical tests and other preparatory activities, officials said on Thursday.
RNPP Managing Director Dr Md Zahedul Hassan said Unit 1 had nearly completed Stage B-1, the initial sub-stage of hot commissioning involving nuclear fuel loading and early subcritical checks. The process was carried out in accordance with guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“If the required tests and commissioning activities proceed as planned, trial electricity supply to the national grid is expected to begin next month,” Hassan said.
The 1,200-megawatt (MW) unit must now enter Stage C, during which reactor power will be increased gradually to test the performance of major equipment and systems under operating conditions.
Officials said several commissioning steps remain before the unit can supply electricity to the national grid. These include staged power-ascension tests, equipment performance checks and grid synchronization to assess the plant’s ability to deliver electricity reliably.
Rooppur, Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant, is being developed with Russian technical assistance and will comprise two 1,200MW reactors, giving it a combined capacity of 2,400MW.
The latest regulatory approval marks a significant step towards bringing nuclear-generated electricity into Bangladesh’s national power system. However, the start of trial generation will depend on the successful completion of the remaining tests and commissioning requirements.
