Rooppur Unit 1 gets nod to start first controlled nuclear reaction

Highlights:

• BAERA approves B-2 sub-stage for Rooppur Unit 1
• First controlled nuclear reaction can now begin
• Power generation may take 6-10 weeks
• Unit 1 expected to initially supply 300MW

Bangladesh has approved the start of a controlled nuclear reaction at Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, clearing a key stage towards test power generation.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) gave the approval today (8 October), allowing the plant to proceed to the physical start-up stage called "first criticality".

Mahmudul Hasan, chairman of the BAERA, told TBS that the final "B-2" power authorisation for Unit 1 has been issued, allowing the project to move to the next stage.

"There are further stages, C and D, after this," he explained.

Mahmudul expects the B-2 stage to be completed within two to three months. Once the subsequent stages are completed, Unit 1 will start generating electricity, initially producing around 300MW, he said.

Dr Md Zahedul Hassan, managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Ltd, said that in a nuclear power plant, heat generated through nuclear fission is used to turn water into high-pressure steam. The steam then spins turbines connected to generators to produce electricity.

"Simply put, we have now received approval to start the nuclear reaction needed to generate heat," he told TBS.

After the reaction begins, operators will closely monitor whether it is taking place correctly and whether all prescribed parameters and safety criteria are being met, Zahedul said.

The current authorisation is for a B-2 sub-stage, he said, adding that several more stages must be completed before power generation.

After completing the sub-stage, heat production will gradually be increased. Once the reactor reaches about 37% of its prescribed thermal power, the project can move towards the next stage of power generation, he said.

Zahedul said the exact timeline could not be specified, but it may take around six to 10 weeks to reach the power generation stage, depending on the results of each test.

"Every stage of a nuclear power plant must be completed through prescribed safety standards and testing," he said.

Project officials said the approval had been delayed due to complications involving the automatic pressure relief safety valves of Unit 1. A Russian team of specialists resolved the problem, and the system subsequently passed several tests.

The resolution has opened the possibility of supplying trial electricity to the national grid by the end of December, they said.

The first criticality is a major milestone for Rooppur. At this stage, the reactor will be brought to an initial critical state at less than 1% of its rated thermal power, initiating the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.

Engineers will closely monitor key reactor parameters, safety systems, control equipment and other components during the process. The physical start-up, including first criticality, may take around 30-40 days.

If test results are satisfactory, reactor power will gradually be increased.

After the physical start-up, the project will enter the power start-up phase, involving gradual increases in reactor power, turbine synchronisation and eventual connection of the generator to the national grid.

For this, the operating organisation will require a trial operational licence from BAERA.

Project officials said power generation would initially be raised from around 3% and gradually increased to 20-30%, after which electricity could be supplied to the grid. Trial generation may continue for seven to eight months after production begins.

Once Rooppur starts supplying electricity to the national grid, Bangladesh will become the 33rd country in the world to generate nuclear power, marking a major milestone for the country's energy security and technological development.