The successful commissioning of the main and auxiliary transformers at the first power unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) marked a significant advancement in Bangladesh’s nuclear energy path.

According to a statement issued Saturday by Russia’s state-run Rosatom, this milestone signifies the plant’s preparedness for integration with the national power grid, bringing the nation closer to realizing its first-ever nuclear power generation.
The announcement emphasizes how important the development is.
The turbine’s 24-kilovolt (kV) electricity will be transformed into 400 kV by the main step-up transformers, allowing for long-distance transmission over the national grid and bolstering a dependable supply system.

The 1,200 MW output of the plant is much exceeded by the 1,599 MW that each transformer is designed to handle, providing both operational stability and inherent redundancy.The commissioning demonstrates a highly technical and coordinated achievement made possible by difficult logistical and climatic conditions, involving more than 150 kilometers of cable and components weighing approximately 400 tons per phase.Auxiliary transformers, which supply power to all of the power unit’s internal systems, have also been put into service in addition to the main transformers.

These auxiliary units are engineered to function in two distinct modes: they can receive electricity from either the external grid or directly from the generator once the power unit is fully operational. Up until now, internal systems depended on standby transformers. The activation of the main supply circuit signifies a pivotal transition towards sustained operation.

“This accomplishment showcases the well-coordinated efforts of all teams involved,” stated Alexey Deriy, Vice President for Projects in Bangladesh at Atomstroyexport, the engineering arm of Rosatom.

“In spite of logistical and climatic hurdles, the team achieved remarkable results. This represents a crucial advancement towards the safe and reliable commissioning of the power unit,” he further commented. In the upcoming days, a series of hot functional tests will be conducted at the Rooppur NPP.

These tests will validate various safety systems and operational protocols, including the controlled release of steam into the atmosphere, which may generate temporary noise but is completely safe for local residents, as per Rosatom’s statements.

Rosatom reiterated its steadfast commitment to international safety standards, emphasizing that all construction and commissioning activities are being executed in accordance with global best practices and regulatory guidelines.

The Russian Federation is providing financial and technical support for the construction of Bangladesh’s first nuclear energy plant, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
With two Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors, each with a 1,200 MW capacity, the plant can produce 2,400 MW in total. Rosatom’s Engineering Division is acting as the project’s general contractor.