Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Successfully Achieves First Criticality

Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, confirmed the achievement on Sunday afternoon (October 11). He said the reaction began in the plant’s first unit at 3:34 pm and that all operating parameters remained at the required levels.

The plant was built with Russian technical and financial assistance under strict guidelines set by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Before reaching criticality, Unit 1 successfully completed the B-1 trial stage and received approval to enter the B-2 commissioning stage.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority gave final approval on October 8 for the first unit to begin the controlled nuclear reaction. The reactor will now undergo further tests before its power is gradually increased and electricity is supplied to the national grid.