Rooppur to supply 300MW to national grid from September

With gas shortages putting increasing pressure on power generation and supply, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, is set to add a new source to the national grid. Preparations are underway to supply around 300 megawatts of electricity from the first unit of the plant.

Fuel loading at Unit 1 began on April 28, and the process was completed in mid-August . The reactor is currently undergoing various commissioning tests and safety checks before first grid connection . The government has indicated that once all tests are successfully completed, the first grid connection is expected around the end of August, with initial output of about 300MW .

Power will be generated in stages, starting at 10-12 percent capacity and gradually increasing . The reactor will be brought to criticality and then to low-power operation before synchronisation with the grid .

The plant has two units of 1,200MW each, totalling 2,400MW . Unit 1 is now in the crucial commissioning and start-up phase . The grid connection, even at initial capacity, is seen as a significant step in diversifying the energy mix and strengthening long-term energy security.