The first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has received a commissioning licence for fuel loading, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward nuclear energy, reports BSS.
The licence was issued by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority following extensive assessments and reviews by national and international regulatory bodies.
BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan formally handed over the licence to M Moinul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, on Thursday, according to an official statement.
The Rooppur plant is widely seen as a landmark project in Bangladesh’s power sector. With the start of fuel loading at its first unit, the country moves a step closer to generating electricity from nuclear energy for the first time.
The formal inauguration of fuel loading is expected in the last week of April. Under current plans, the unit could begin supplying electricity to the national grid within about three months of the fuel loading process.
Following phased testing and capacity-building activities, authorities aim to bring the unit to full capacity and transmit power to the grid by December.
Officials say the progress of the Rooppur project will play a crucial role in strengthening Bangladesh’s energy security and ensuring a more sustainable and reliable power supply.
Senior officials from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Construction Project and Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited were present at the handover ceremony.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Jisan
