Experimental power generation has begun in the first unit of the under-construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam confirmed the development to the media on Friday.
The minister added that the second phase of nuclear reaction was completed at 12pm, after which experimental power generation gradually started through a controlled process.
Speaking to TIMES on Friday, Mahmudul Hasan, chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA), said that efforts will be made to generate 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity within the next 15 days.
Last Thursday, BAERA gave approval for the power start-up process of the plant’s first unit. At this stage, a self-sustaining chain reaction is created in the reactor to gradually increase power generation capacity in a controlled manner, following the completion of necessary tests and trials.
Constructed with Russian cooperation following International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines, various phases of testing are being conducted on the first unit.
After Stage “B-1” was completed fairly successfully, complications regarding the automatic pressure relief valve test were resolved, leading to Stage “B-2” where the nuclear reactor is prepared for primary operation prior to the criticality phase.
Criticality refers to the phase of establishing a self-sustaining and controlled chain reaction in a nuclear reactor, during which power capacity is increased step by step. There is a plan to begin supplying electricity commercially to the national transmission line once production reaches 300 MW.
The government hopes to begin supplying electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to the national grid by November this year.
Meanwhile, Russia has started supplying nuclear fuel for initial fuel loading in the VVER-1200 reactor of the second unit, state atomic energy organisation Rosatom announced in a press release on Thursday.
Project operations are moving forward with the target of completing reactor activation or fuel loading for the second unit by June next year.
