The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced that a nuclear reaction has been successfully initiated at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
The reaction began for the first time at around 3:30pm on Sunday, the ministry said.
A ministry official said several days would be needed to ensure the reaction remained stable, followed by a series of tests at different stages of the plant’s commissioning.
The plant could begin generating electricity from November 20, the official added.
Located in Ishwardi, Pabna, Rooppur is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project. It has two VVER-1200 reactors, which are expected to generate a combined 2,400MW of electricity once both units are operational.