First reactor at Bangladesh's Rooppur nuclear plant starts chain reaction
In short
The first reactor at Bangladesh's Rooppur nuclear power plant achieved a self-sustaining chain reaction on October 11 at 15:34, Russian outlets reported. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev said the unit is expected to begin supplying electricity to Bangladesh's grid in November.
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The first reactor at Bangladesh's Rooppur nuclear power plant has started a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, Russian news outlets reported. RIA Novosti placed the milestone at 15:34 on Sunday, October 11, while RBC reported that the unit reached criticality at that time. Vedomosti said the reactor had reached its minimum controllable power level, citing Strana Rosatom. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti explained that reaching this level means a controlled, self-sustaining chain reaction has begun in the VVER-1200 reactor core. The stage precedes tests at different power levels, the start of electricity generation and connection to Bangladesh's national grid. RIA Novosti reported that specialists will now raise the reactor's power gradually, ahead of the next stage when electricity produced by the unit begins entering the country's electricity network. [ 1 , 3 ]
Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev outlined a November target for that next step. RIA Novosti reported that he had said on Friday, following a Moscow meeting with Bangladesh's science and technology minister, that the start of electricity supply was planned for the dates in November beginning with the 20th. Vedomosti quoted him as saying connection to the grid was planned by the end of November. [ 1 , 3 ]
Rooppur is Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant. It is being built to a Russian design 160 kilometers from Dhaka and comprises two VVER-1200 units with combined capacity of 2,400 MW. Vedomosti reported that Rosatom began construction in 2018 and that the project is estimated to cost $13 billion. Reactor assembly at the first unit was completed in autumn 2024, and fuel loading began on April 28. The outlet also reported Likhachev's April 28 statement that plant construction would be completed in 2027. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The reactor milestone precedes power-level testing and connection to Bangladesh's national electricity system. Rooppur is the country's first nuclear power plant, with two planned VVER-1200 units totaling 2,400 MW.
Key facts
- Rooppur's first unit achieved a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction on October 11 at 15:34. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Vedomosti reported that the reactor reached its minimum controllable power level, citing Strana Rosatom. [ 3 ]
- RIA Novosti quoted Likhachev as targeting the start of electricity supply for the dates in November beginning with the 20th; Vedomosti reported a grid-connection target by the end of November. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Rooppur is Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant and is being built to a Russian design 160 kilometers from Dhaka. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The plant includes two VVER-1200 reactor units with combined planned capacity of 2,400 MW. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The first unit at Rooppur reached criticality on October 11 at 15:34. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Rosatom's chief outlined a November target for supplying electricity from the first unit to Bangladesh's grid. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Rooppur is Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant, with two VVER-1200 units totaling 2,400 MW. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The specific grid-connection date remains a target rather than a completed milestone. RIA Novosti reports a planned start in the November dates beginning with the 20th; Vedomosti describes a target by the end of November.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 11, Rooppur's first unit reached criticality and achieved a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. [ 1 , 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reported the reactor start and the planned November start of electricity supply. [ 1 ]
- Vedomosti reported the minimum controllable power milestone and a grid-connection target by the end of November. [ 3 ]