Unit 1 of the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh has begun power start-up operations. The process got under way on Friday morning, and the electricity generated is being used for the plant’s internal needs. The regulator’s approval had come the day before.
Mahmudul Hasan, chairman of the regulatory authority BAERA, explained that power-generation tests began immediately after permission was granted. This is the so-called Phase C, in which the reactor’s power is raised gradually to verify the integrated operation of the plant’s systems. The reactor, primary and secondary circuits, turbine-generator, electrical systems, and control and protection systems are all under examination.
The plant consists of two advanced Russian Generation III+ reactors. They are two VVER-1200 units with a combined capacity of 2,400 MW. The project is led by Rosatom, which has also begun delivering fuel for the first loading of the Unit 2 reactor.
The path forward is marked by regulatory milestones. Local media recall that the first controlled chain reaction, with initial criticality, was achieved on 11 October. This was followed by the physics tests of Phase B-2, and then Phase C. When output reaches 300 MW, another inspection will be carried out. Trial power supply to the grid can begin once the reactor reaches 30-35 percent of its thermal capacity.
One step remains. Unit 1 must obtain Certification D before feeding its first nuclear power into the national grid. Authorization for start-up is not the same as the start of commercial operation, and testing will continue even after the trial grid connection.
For Bangladesh, the milestone is both political and energy-related. With its first grid connection, the country will become the 33rd in the world to generate nuclear power. If Unit 2 follows the same testing schedule, the 2,400 MW could give the country’s power system a stable, low-emission baseload supply.
