Bangladesh completes high-pressure valve test at Rooppur nuclear plant

A key commissioning test for Unit 1 of Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been completed successfully, moving the facility closer to power generation.

Plant officials said a 16 megapascal high-pressure test of the Pressure Operated Relief Valve (PORV) system was completed Wednesday after a faulty valve was replaced. Three major tests remain before Unit 1 can reach criticality, the first stage leading to power production.

Officials said generation could begin by the end of the year if remaining tests are completed successfully in October.

Dr. Md Zahedul Hasan, managing director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), said the test was monitored from the main and emergency control rooms.

ROSATOM’s public relations agency said uranium shipments for Unit 1 operations and Unit 2 commissioning are scheduled to begin Friday, with seven additional flights expected by December.