All technical tests succeed at Rooppur's first unit, power generation now awaits approval
Bangladesh has moved another step closer to generating power from the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. All required technical tests for the unit, including the B-2 stage physics tests, have been completed successfully. With these tests passed, the unit advances towards the final phase before power generation begins.
Detailed reports of the tests have already been submitted to the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA). The timing of the next step now depends on the regulator's review and approval.
Dr Md Jahedul Hasan, managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), shared the information on Saturday (24 October). According to him, the technical tests were completed following the prescribed procedures.
Immediately after the regulator's final green signal, the unit will enter the 'C stage', or power start-up process. It is at this stage that the process of beginning power generation takes practical shape.
This progress was also formally conveyed to the ministry at a recent meeting with a Russian delegation. In other words, all parties concerned have been officially informed of the project's advance.
Project sources said the target is to begin power start-up by the end of this October. That, however, depends entirely on BAERA's approval — without it, the schedule could slip.
In the initial phase, power generation will start on a limited scale and be increased gradually. Rather than jumping to full capacity at once, output is raised step by step, the method followed when commissioning a nuclear power plant.
Under the plan, once generation capacity reaches 25 to 30 percent, supply to the national grid can begin. On that basis, there is hope that at least 300 megawatts of electricity could be added to the national grid by the end of the year.
Once commercial production begins, Bangladesh will join the list of countries producing nuclear power. Those concerned believe it will stand as a unique milestone for the country's energy security and technological excellence.
The plant, being built through Rosatom's Atomstroyexport division, is installing two Generation 3+ VVER-1200 reactors. Together, the two units will deliver a total of 2,400 megawatts of electricity.
The project's duration has been extended until June 2028. Because of the rise in the dollar exchange rate, the project cost has increased and now stands at Tk 138,686 crore. Despite the cost growth, with the first unit's test phases complete, the project has now entered its most important stage.
All eyes are now on BAERA's decision. Once the final green signal comes, power start-up will begin, and raising output step by step will open the way for Rooppur's electricity to join the national grid by the end of the year.
