The construction and installation work at Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been completed, and personnel have now begun a comprehensive testing program for physical start-ups.

This marks a critical milestone in the plant’s development.

On December 18, the first phase of operation officially commenced, aimed at bringing the reactor plant up to its rated parameters.

During this phase, the operability of equipment and mechanisms will be thoroughly tested. Notably, the reactor coolant pumps (RPC) will be activated and tested for the first time.

The reactor plant will undergo testing at the rated parameters, though without the use of nuclear fuel. Once the equipment’s performance is confirmed to meet design specifications, the unit will be ready for the next stage of start-up operations.

“We have entered the final preparation stage for the physical start-up of Rooppur NPP Unit 1. This is a crucial phase, during which we must conduct a wide range of tests to verify the functionality of the process systems under all operational modes,” said Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy at Rosatom, and President of ASE.

“We are meeting all our commitments and ensuring the reliability and safety of our technologies. Rooppur will not only support Bangladesh’s economy but also provide long-term benefits for future generations.”

Once fully operational, Rooppur NPP is expected to supply environmentally friendly and safe energy, meeting approximately 10% of Bangladesh’s total energy needs.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, located in the Ishwardi upazila of Pabna district, is being built with two Russian VVER-1200 reactors, each with a capacity of 1200 MW, for a total of 2400 MW.

The plant's design follows the advanced Generation III+ safety standards and meets all international safety requirements.

Rosatom’s Engineering Division serves as the General Designer and General Contractor for the project, which was officially launched with a General Contract signed on December 25, 2015.

—-