Pabna, June 28 (V7N) — Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), has achieved a significant milestone in its journey toward full-scale electricity generation. The commissioning of the main and auxiliary transformers for Unit-1 has been successfully completed, bringing the facility one step closer to being connected to the national power grid.
 
The announcement was made on Saturday (June 28) via a press release issued by Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, which is overseeing the project.
 
The statement confirmed that a series of rigorous safety tests, including the “Hot Media Test,” will soon be conducted at the plant. These procedures may produce unexpected steam noises audible to nearby residents. However, Rosatom clarified that such events are a standard and pre-planned part of the testing process and pose no risk to public safety.
 
“Safety is Rosatom’s top priority,” the release noted, emphasizing the corporation’s commitment to meeting both national regulatory requirements and international standards.
 
The main transformers, now fully operational, are engineered to convert electricity generated at 24 kV by the turbine generators to 400 kV, suitable for nationwide transmission. Each transformer has a capacity of up to 1,599 megawatts, exceeding the projected output of 1,200 megawatts from Unit-1. This design ensures uninterrupted power flow and the ability to handle excess load when necessary.
 
Each transformer phase weighs approximately 400 tons, and more than 150 kilometers of cable were used to complete the connections.
 
In addition, auxiliary transformers—essential for powering internal systems within the unit—have also been successfully commissioned. These dual-mode transformers can receive electricity from both the national grid and the generator itself. Previously, these systems relied solely on standby transformers.
 
Speaking about the development, Alexey Deriy, Vice President of Rosatom’s Atomstroyexport and Director of the Bangladesh project, stated:
 
“This achievement reflects the dedication and coordination of all stakeholders. Despite logistical and climatic challenges, the teams have delivered with excellence. This is a vital step toward the safe and reliable launch of Unit-1.”
 
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, located in Ishwardi Upazila of Pabna district, is being implemented with Russian financial and technological assistance. It consists of two Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors, each with a net capacity of 1,200 megawatts. The engineering division of Rosatom is serving as the General Contractor for the 2,400 MW facility.
 
Once operational, Rooppur is expected to play a transformative role in Bangladesh’s energy sector by significantly enhancing power generation capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
 
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