Rooppur Nuclear Plant Hits Criticality: Bangladesh Enters Nuclear Age
Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant, Rooppur, has reached criticality. Electricity production is expected to start by late November.
Bangladesh has achieved a historic milestone in its energy journey as the Rooppur nuclear plant criticality has been reached. This pivotal step marks the transition of the country's first nuclear power facility toward active electricity generation, signaling a massive shift in the nation's power infrastructure.
Power Generation on the Horizon
The news was confirmed by Faqir Mahbub Anam, the Minister for Science and Technology of Bangladesh. Speaking to ANI, the Minister highlighted that reaching criticality is a fundamental requirement before the plant can begin producing power. According to official projections, the facility is expected to start generating electricity within the next two to three weeks.
The timeline for integration is already set, with officials stating that the electricity produced by the Rooppur plant will begin feeding into the national grid during the final week of November.
Project Scope and Technical Prowess
Located in Rooppur village along the banks of the Padma River in the Pabna District's Ishwardi Upazila, the plant is a feat of international collaboration. The project is being developed with technical support from Rosatom, the State Atomic Energy Corporation of the Russian Federation, and is overseen by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.
The facility is designed for high-capacity output, featuring:
- Two Reactor Units: The plant consists of two third-generation VVER-1200 reactor units.
- Massive Output: Once fully operational, these units will collectively generate 2,400 megawatts of baseload electricity.
The Journey of the Nuclear Fuel
The road to criticality began with the high-security transport of nuclear fuel. Bangladesh officially stepped into the nuclear era when the first shipment of low-enriched uranium fuel for Unit 1 arrived from Russia. This fuel was manufactured at Rosatom's Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant.
The delivery process was a high-stakes operation involving:
- Air Transport: 164 fresh fuel assemblies were flown via a heavy-lift Russian cargo aircraft directly to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
- Strict Safeguards: The transport adhered to rigorous international safety and security protocols.
- The Green Corridor: From the airport, radiation-shielded containers were moved through a heavily fortified "green corridor." This route was strictly guarded by law enforcement agencies and the Bangladesh Army to ensure the fuel reached the plant site in Ishwardi safely.
This complex logistical operation culminated in an official handover ceremony in October 2023, paving the way for the current milestone of reaching criticality.