Likhachev sets November target for Rooppur unit's power start

The power start of Bangladesh's first Rooppur nuclear unit is targeted for the dates beginning with 20 in November, Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev said on 9 October.

Likhachev said the corporation was working toward that period for electricity delivery to the national grid. This follows the reactor's physical start-up. Nuclear fuel was previously loaded into its core.

During commissioning, specialists reach the minimum controlled power level needed to monitor the self-sustaining chain reaction and then increase power in stages. The power start means the unit begins supplying generated electricity to Bangladesh's grid.

Rooppur is Bangladesh's first nuclear power station, built with Russian participation about 160 kilometres from Dhaka. It comprises two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400 MW. Likhachev's timing refers to the first unit.