BAERA approves first criticality for Rooppur Unit-1

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Bangladesh’s nuclear regulator has approved the first criticality process for Unit-1 of the 2,400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a major step toward its commissioning.

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) Chairman Mahmudul Hasan said the unit received B2 approval, allowing it to enter the second stage of regulatory review. Two further certifications, C and D, will be required before commercial operation.

The approval came after technical problems involving the reactor’s pilot-operated relief and safety valves were resolved with the help of Russian experts and a series of successful tests.

Officials expect Unit-1 to begin trial electricity generation by the end of December. During first criticality, the reactor will initially operate below 1% of its designed thermal capacity while engineers and regulators monitor its systems and performance.

The physical start-up is expected to take 30 to 40 days, after which reactor power will gradually increase. Electricity generation would initially begin at about 3% capacity before rising to 20–30% and eventually connecting the generator to the national grid.

Trial generation is expected to continue for seven to eight months. Once Rooppur supplies electricity to the grid, Bangladesh will become the world’s 33rd nuclear power-producing country.