Bangladesh’s Rooppur reactor achieves first chain reaction. Further tests await before electricity generation.

Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project reached a milestone Sunday when Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant achieved its first controlled nuclear chain reaction at 3:34 p.m.

Md Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, told The Business Standard that required compliance procedures, technical checks, and external certifications had been completed before the reactor entered initial criticality.

Russian specialists, Bangladeshi experts, and other technical specialists monitored the process.

“They observed everything and confirmed that the transition was smooth and successful,” Hossain said.

The reaction begins the process of producing nuclear energy, but the plant is not yet supplying electricity to the national grid. Further tests and safety checks are required before generation begins.

Located in Ishwardi, Pabna, Rooppur has two Russian-designed reactor units with a combined planned capacity of 2,400 megawatts.