Rooppur Unit-1 Awaits Final Clearance

Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant is moving closer to electricity generation, but Rooppur Unit-1 still requires further commissioning tests and regulatory clearance before it can enter the power-generation stage. A key 16 MPa high-pressure test has been completed successfully, while three major tests remain before the unit can reach criticality. If the remaining tests are completed successfully, power generation could begin by the end of this year, according to plant officials.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) granted the commissioning licence for fuel loading at Unit-1 in April. Fuel loading began on April 28, marking a major transition from construction toward reactor commissioning.

Fuel loading, however, does not mean that a nuclear reactor can immediately begin producing electricity. The unit must undergo a sequence of safety and performance tests to verify the reactor systems, cooling systems, control systems and critical safety equipment.

One of the most important recent tests involved the Pressure Operated Relief Valve (PORV/POSV) system. The 16 MPa high-pressure test was successfully completed after a faulty safety valve had caused commissioning work to stall earlier in July. The faulty valve was replaced before testing resumed.

Dr Md Zahedul Hasan, managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited, said the test was jointly monitored and operated from the Main Control Room and Emergency Control Room. Engineers checked the valve’s response, opening and closing speeds, alarms and other associated parameters. Communication systems, firefighting arrangements and radiation-protection measures were also verified.

Plant officials said three additional major tests remain before Unit-1 can reach the criticality stage—the point at which a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction begins. Successful completion of those tests would allow the project to proceed toward subsequent commissioning stages and eventually trial electricity generation.

Meanwhile, an additional shipment of uranium fuel for Unit-1 reached the Rooppur project site on October 3 under tight security. The shipment was transported by road from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Ishwardi. Project sources said 48 additional fuel assemblies for Unit-1 and 163 for Unit-2 are expected to arrive in Bangladesh on nine flights during November and December.

The initial target for Unit-1 power generation was pushed back because of regulatory requirements and commissioning delays. The current timeline depends on the successful completion of the remaining tests and the necessary regulatory clearances.

The two-unit Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has a planned combined capacity of 2,400 megawatts. Once Unit-1 enters operation, it will mark Bangladesh’s first actual entry into nuclear electricity generation and add a new large-scale source of low-carbon power to the national grid.

//DBTech/SMP/DVT/BPO//