The first unit of the Rooppur plant began a controlled nuclear chain reaction ahead of its planned connection to the grid by the end of November
The first unit of Bangladesh’s Russian-backed Rooppur power plant, the country’s first nuclear reactor, has achieved criticality, sustaining a controlled nuclear chain reaction for the first time.
Criticality – where a self-sustaining chain reaction occurs – is a major step toward electricity generation and keeps the plant on track to be connected to the power grid by the end of November. The unit reached the milestone at 3:34 PM local time on Sunday, three days after receiving clearance from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority.
It followed commissioning delays from technical problems with safety valves. Russian specialists helped resolve the issues, and the reactor underwent further tests before the regulator authorized the controlled reaction.
The reactor successfully initiated nuclear fission, with operating parameters performing according to design, the Daily Star cited Bangladeshi Science and Technology Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain as saying. Further regulatory approvals will be required before electricity generation begins.
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