The tests confirmed that the pipelines are fully capable of supplying steam to the turbine system, a crucial prerequisite for subsequent phases of the plant's commissioning.

The blowdown operation was conducted using fresh steam at a pressure of 2.0 MPa and a temperature of 200°C. These parameters were specifically selected to comply with design standards and to ensure the thorough cleaning of the pipelines from residual moisture, contaminants, and mechanical debris.

The steam was discharged into the atmosphere during the process, producing loud noise levels that were expected and assessed to pose no risk to public safety.

This round of testing will be followed by a second phase involving a higher volume of steam, which will provide final cleaning of the main lines and enable fine-tuning of equipment performance under conditions that closely simulate full-scale operation.

“With the successful completion of this commissioning stage, Rooppur NPP moves one step closer to a historic milestone—the launch of Power Unit 1 and its integration into the national grid,” said Alexey Deriy, Vice-President of Atomstroyexport for Projects in Bangladesh. 

“Built on the cutting-edge Russian VVER-1200 reactor design, the plant is set to deliver safe and reliable clean energy for decades. Once operational, Unit 1 alone is expected to meet up to 10 percent of Bangladesh’s current electricity demand.”

The Rooppur NPP is being constructed with Russian technical support under a state-to-state agreement and is located in Pabna district on the banks of the Padma River.

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