Pabna, Nov 01 (V7N) – A fourth shipment of uranium fuel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has reached the project site in Ishwardi, Pabna, under tight security, with the latest consignment designated for the plant’s second unit.
Three specialised trucks carrying the nuclear fuel arrived at the project site at 7:17am on Saturday, October 31, under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army and with strict security provided by other law enforcement agencies.
Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Asadur Rahman confirmed the arrival.
With this latest delivery, four uranium shipments have reached the project site: one additional shipment for the first unit and three for the second unit.
Earlier, Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom said it planned to transport 163 uranium fuel assemblies for the second unit in seven cargo flights. An additional 48 fuel assemblies for refuelling the first unit were also scheduled to arrive in two more cargo shipments. The total plan involves nine shipments.
First Unit Advances to Power Startup Stage
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, built with Russian technology, has two VVER-1200 reactor units.
The first unit has already entered Stage-C of its power startup programme after receiving approval from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) on Thursday, October 29.
During Stage-C, reactor power will be increased gradually while the performance of various plant systems and equipment, including the turbine-generator, operational systems and safety mechanisms, is tested.
If the required tests are completed successfully, the generator of the first unit will be connected to the national electricity grid through a process known as synchronisation.
Trial Electricity Supply Targeted for November
If activities proceed according to plan and all regulatory requirements are met, the authorities aim to supply around 300 megawatts of electricity from the first unit to the national grid on a trial basis in November.
The trial grid connection will depend on the successful completion of technical tests and the necessary approvals from the regulatory authority.
The latest uranium delivery is part of preparations for fuel loading and operation of the plant’s second unit, while the first unit moves forward with its power startup programme.
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