The containment integrity and strength tests for the reactor compartment of Unit 1 at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) have been successfully completed, confirming full compliance with design specifications and international nuclear safety standards.

During the testing phase, pressure inside the containment structure was increased to its design limit using a compressor. A series of tests were then conducted to assess the structure's airtightness and its ability to endure internal loads under abnormal conditions.

This verification is a critical step ahead of nuclear fuel loading, as the containment system serves as the final protective barrier in the event of a potential accident.

Constructed from pre-stressed reinforced concrete and lined with a sealed steel interior, the containment is engineered to prevent the release of radioactive materials into the environment and to withstand external impacts.

It plays a vital role in localizing radioactive substances within the reactor building during emergency scenarios.

With the containment tests complete, the plant is preparing to initiate a series of hot functional tests. These will involve heating the primary coolant circuit to operational temperatures and generating steam, alongside simulations of various safety operation modes, including controlled steam discharge into the atmosphere.

Officials emphasized that the associated noise from these tests is both expected and poses no risk to the public.

Rosatom, the Russian state corporation overseeing the project through its Engineering Division, reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing safety and ensuring full adherence to international regulatory standards throughout all stages of construction and commissioning.

The Rooppur NPP, Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility, features two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined generation capacity of 2,400 MW. The project is being executed with technical and financial cooperation from Russia.

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