B Mirror Report: Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Ishwardi, Pabna, has moved a step closer to starting operations after regulators approved the results of safety valve tests for its first unit.
Project officials said the approval would allow further reactor commissioning activities to proceed, raising hopes that the plant could begin supplying electricity to the national grid on a trial basis as early as next month, provided the remaining technical and safety requirements are met.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has two units, each with a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW). Once fully operational, the two units are expected to supply a combined 2,400 MW of electricity to the national grid.
Officials said the initiation of heat production through nuclear fission in the first unit had initially been scheduled for September. However, technical defects identified during safety valve testing delayed the process.
Following two rounds of high-pressure testing, the results were submitted to the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA), which approved them last Thursday. The tests assessed whether the control valves met the required standards, while fire safety and radiation protection arrangements were also examined.
The next major milestone is first criticality, when a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is established inside the reactor. This will be followed by a series of tests and observations before reactor power is gradually increased.
Officials said the plant could initially supply around 300 MW to the national grid on a trial basis. Further testing and technical assessments will be necessary before commercial operation begins.
Built with technical assistance from Russia, Rooppur uses third-generation VVER-1200 reactor technology. The plant is expected to meet around 10% of Bangladesh’s electricity demand when both units operate at full capacity, although its actual contribution will depend on demand, plant performance, maintenance and grid conditions.
Unlike conventional power plants that burn coal, oil or gas, nuclear reactors generate heat through the fission of uranium atoms. The heat produces steam, which drives turbines connected to electricity generators.
The plant is designed for an operational life of 60 years, potentially extendable by another 20 to 30 years subject to technical upgrades, safety assessments and regulatory approval. Routine maintenance and periodic fuel replacement will remain essential, with refuelling potentially required approximately every 18 months.
Sheikh Mohammad Touhidul Islam, joint secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Nuclear Power Wing, told BSS that Rooppur was not merely an electricity generation project but also an opportunity to strengthen the country’s technological capabilities and develop skilled human resources.
He said the first unit was in the final stages of preparation for power generation, while uranium for the second unit had also arrived at the project site. He expressed hope that the work could be completed ahead of schedule.
Abul Khair Md Akkas Ali, an additional secretary at the ministry, said the project could transform Bangladesh’s electricity and economic landscape by supporting industrial production, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities.
Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain described Rooppur as a historic milestone for energy security and economic development, highlighting its potential to ensure reliable electricity supplies and promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
The Rooppur project has a long history, with feasibility studies and international cooperation initiatives dating back to the years following Bangladesh’s independence. The arrival of nuclear fuel at the site in October 2023 marked a major step towards commissioning.
The BNP’s 2008 election manifesto included a pledge to establish the nuclear power plant, while the party’s 2026 manifesto also supports the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the power and energy sectors.
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s Nuclear Power Wing coordinates the project on behalf of the government, while Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom provides technical assistance.
As the first unit approaches its initial operational milestone, Rooppur is expected to become an important part of Bangladesh’s long-term energy strategy. However, the start of trial generation and the transition to commercial operation will depend on the successful completion of all commissioning stages in line with safety requirements and regulatory standards.
