Atomstroyexport, the Russian contractor for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project, has announced that it will not supply fuel to the plant until all necessary inspections and scheduled procedures are completed, emphasizing the importance of meeting international safety standards. Alexey Deriy, Vice President of Atomstroyexport and Director of the Rooppur NPP Construction Project, highlighted that the delivery of nuclear fuel is a complex process involving multiple levels of scrutiny.
A press release from Rosatom, the Russian contractor, stated that an acceptance inspection will soon take place in Novosibirsk, Russia. The inspection will ensure that all required inspections and procedures are carried out before fuel is shipped and delivered to the Rooppur NPP. This commitment to meticulous inspections underscores the priority given to safety and adherence to international standards.
Recently, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) granted Class B, D, and E licenses to the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) for handling, storage, and transportation of nuclear fuel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The Class B license permits the purchase, ownership, handling, and storage of nuclear materials, the Class D license allows a Russian transport company to transport nuclear materials, and the Class E license provides authority for the importation of nuclear materials.
A formal ceremony was held in Pabna to mark the handing over of the licenses, with key attendees including Yeafesh Osman, Minister for Science and Technology; Ziaul Hasan, Sr. Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Engr. Md. Muzammel Haque, Chairman of BAERA; Alexey Ferapontov, Deputy Head of the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) from Russia; Andrei Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Power of the Rosatom State Corporation; and President of ASE.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Project, which features two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of 2400 MW, is being constructed based on Russian design. The VVER 1200 reactors are classified as evolutionary generation III+ and fully comply with international safety requirements. The Engineering Division of Rosatom State Corporation serves as the General Contractor for the project.
Initially undertaken in 2010, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, comprising two units, had set a target to complete the construction of the first unit in 2022 and the second unit in 2023. However, the target was later revised, with the first unit now expected to be completed by June 2024 and the second unit by June 2025, reflecting the evolving nature of the project’s timeline.
The delay in fuel supply to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project highlights the significance placed on thorough inspections and adherence to international safety standards. The Russian contractor’s commitment to ensuring the plant’s safety and operational readiness underscores the dedication to delivering a secure and reliable source of nuclear power for Bangladesh’s energy needs.
