In a significant step towards operational readiness, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has successfully prepared its refueling machine for the loading of 163 dummy fuel assemblies into the first power unit's reactor core.

This marks the final stage of preparation before the actual loading process, which is scheduled to commence in the coming days.

The refueling machine, an integral component of the plant's transport and process equipment, is responsible for loading fresh nuclear fuel and extracting spent fuel from the reactor core.

Weighing over 60 tons, the machine is situated above the fuel pool and reactor pit and consists of a mechanical part (bridge, trolley, service area), a control system, and a monitoring system.

These components enable remote control and visual monitoring of the refueling and fuel installation processes.

This development brings the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant closer to achieving its goal of providing reliable and sustainable energy to the nation.

The successful completion of the dummy fuel assembly loading will mark a major milestone in the plant's journey towards full operational capacity.

Denis Muzlov, Director of the Atomtechenergo Branch in Bangladesh, emphasized the critical role of the refueling machine in ensuring the safe operation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

"The refueling machine is one of the most important elements of a nuclear power plant's safety," he stated. "It must have high accuracy in handling fuel assemblies within the reactor, with error limits not exceeding 2mm at any given coordinate."

Atomtechenergo, a division of Rosatom specializing in the commissioning of nuclear power plants and electrical infrastructure, was responsible for preparing the Rooppur refueling machine.

Their expertise and rigorous standards ensure that the machine surpasses safety requirements, further contributing to the plant's operational safety.

Bangladesh is constructing its first-ever nuclear power plant at Rooppur with technical and financial assistance from Russia.

The plant will feature two 1,200-megawatt (MW) units equipped with cutting-edge VVER 1200 reactors of the 3+ generation.

Rosatom Engineering Division serves as the project's General Contractor.

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