The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA) today gave the final approval to start the first controlled nuclear reaction at Unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
The process is known as 'first criticality' before the start of electricity generation.
BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan confirmed BSS the matter, saying, "Two more approvals will be required before electricity is connected to the national grid."
Project officials said the approval had remained pending due to complications involving the automatic pressure relief safety valves (PORV/POSV) of the Unit-1.
A team of experts from Russia arrived in Bangladesh and resolved the problem through various technical measures, they said, adding, the safety valve subsequently passed various tests successfully.
As a result, there is now a possibility of supplying electricity to the national grid on a trial basis by the end of December, the officials said.
The nuclear fuel (uranium) loading or 'physical startup' activities were officially inaugurated at Unit-1 on April 28.
Besides, the first consignment of nuclear fuel for Unit-2 successfully arrived on October 3.
The country's first nuclear power plant is being constructed at Rooppur in Pabna with financial and technical assistance from Russia.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission is implementing the project under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Under the project, Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, is constructing two 1,200-megawatt units as the contractor.