Bangladesh has received approval to begin a nuclear reaction at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, bringing the country closer to generating nuclear power for the first time.
If the process proceeds as planned, the unit could supply 300MW of electricity to the national grid in December.
According to media reports, the process was initially scheduled to begin in September but was delayed after a fault was detected during safety-valve testing.
Two high-pressure tests were conducted last week, and the results were submitted to the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA).
BAERA approved the results on Thursday, clearing the way for the next stage of work.
BAERA Chairman Mahmud Hasan told the media that each stage of the Rooppur plant is approved only after safety is verified.
“After verification by local and international experts, the licence for the next stage was issued today (Thursday),” he said. “Work on this stage will begin on Friday. It should not take long to complete, and the nuclear reaction is expected to begin within two to three days.”
Meanwhile, two safety-valve tests were completed last week to check whether the control valves were functioning properly. The tests were conducted according to prescribed procedures, while fire and radiation safety measures were also checked beforehand.
The process of generating heat inside the reactor vessel could begin by the end of this month, according to media reports.
The Rooppur plant in Pabna consists of two Russian-built VVER-1200 reactors, each designed to generate 1,200MW. Together, the two units are expected to provide 2,400MW of electricity.
Bangladesh’s plans to build a nuclear power plant date back decades. The project gained momentum after Bangladesh signed an agreement with Russia in 2011 to cooperate on the plant, leading to the construction of the two VVER-1200 reactors at the Pabna site.
