Second Additional Uranium Shipment Reaches Rooppur

The second consignment of additional nuclear fuel for Unit 1 of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant has reached the Rooppur project site in Pabna, as the reactor began its first controlled nuclear reaction on Sunday, October 11.

The shipment was transported from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the project site under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army, with support from other law enforcement agencies.

The special Russian cargo aircraft carrying the additional nuclear fuel arrived in Dhaka on Saturday night, October 10. An earlier shipment arrived in Bangladesh on October 2. A total of 48 additional fuel assemblies have now been brought in two consignments for Unit 1, according to information provided about the deliveries. Dr. Mahmudul Hasan, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, has expressed satisfaction with this ongoing initiative.

First Controlled Nuclear Reaction Begins

On the same day the latest fuel shipment reached Rooppur, the plant’s Unit 1 initiated its first controlled nuclear reaction.

Science and Technology Secretary Anwar Hossain told the media that the reaction began at 3:34 pm on Sunday. He said the plant’s operating parameters were within their required ranges at the time.

The secretary also said there was no reason for public alarm over radiation levels. Reactor parameters, control systems and safety equipment will continue to be monitored as commissioning proceeds.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) granted final approval to initiate the first controlled nuclear reaction on October 8. The approval followed the resolution of technical complications involving the automatic pressure relief safety valve and the completion of required tests. Further testing and regulatory steps remain before electricity can be supplied to the national grid.

Power Supply Targeted for Late November

Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has said work is underway to begin supplying electricity to the national grid by late November. Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev also expressed the expectation on October 11 that Unit 1 would begin generating electricity towards the end of November.

However, the start of a nuclear reaction does not mean that commercial power generation or grid supply has begun. Engineers must verify reactor stability, safety systems and technical parameters before gradually increasing power and completing the remaining tests and commissioning procedures.

Built with Russian technical assistance, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant uses two third-generation VVER-1200 reactors. Each unit is designed to generate 1,200 megawatts, giving the plant a combined planned capacity of 2,400 megawatts.

Successful completion of the remaining commissioning stages would mark a major step towards adding nuclear power to Bangladesh’s electricity supply.

//DBTech/SCPM/MSI/MVNO//