Published: 12:01 AM, 30 October 2026
Rooppur gets approval to launch generation
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). -File Photo
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) on Thursday allowed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) to launch the operation of its first unit, paving the way for trial supply to the national grid to advance.
RNPP Managing Director Dr Zahedul Hasan said Thursday that BAERA Chairman M Mahmudul Hasan had granted permission.
The unit 1 of the plant has an electrical generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW).
Zahedul Hasan said the project's first unit by now nearly completed Stage B1, meaning the first sub-stage of hot commissioning focusing primarily on the initial nuclear fuel loading and early subcritical checks.
He said the process was conducted in line with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines while the approval came after the unit completed the B-2 phase physical tests and other required activities.
During Stage C, reactor power will be increased gradually to produce steam, drive the turbine and generate electricity. The unit's generation capacity will be raised in stages, while turbine performance is closely monitored. BAERA will oversee the process to ensure the plant operates safely.
Officials said despite the approval, they were required to exhaust several steps before Unit 1 could supply electricity to the grid.
They said the project now was required to enter Stage C, during which reactor power would be increased gradually to test the performance of major equipment and systems under operating conditions.
The project documents said the reactor will undergo staged power tests and equipment checks before grid synchronisation, with several commissioning steps remaining before electricity supply begins.
Officials said a key milestone will be synchronising the generator with the national grid to assess the plant's ability to supply electricity steadily.
>>Mehedi Hasan, AA
