RNPP Likely To Start Feeding Grid In Oct

Amid fears of a summer power crisis, consumers are eager for updates on the 2,400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). The first 1,200 MW unit is reportedly ready for trial, but transmission infrastructure delays persist.

- Mollah Amzad Hossain

Only two of five required transmission lines are complete, with more expected by May this year and March next year. Meanwhile, an IAEA team is expected to conduct a final safety check soon before the first unit starts operations in October. Despite challenges, starting full operations of the 2,400 MW plant next year will mark Bangladesh's entry into the global nuclear power club.

Amid apprehension over a severe power crisis in the ensuing summer, consumers started inquiring about the implementation status of the 2,400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), apparently considering that it could relieve them to some extent of the looming crisis. Expectations ran high following the recent media reports that the first unit (1,200 MW) is ready to start the trial run. However, the necessary transmission facilities to evacuate the electricity have not been completed yet. To ensure safe commercial production, five transmission lines with 230 kV and 400 kV capacities need to be installed – only two have been completed so far while two more are expected to come online in May this year and another in March next year. Under these circumstances, many hope that the first unit of the RNPP will start operations in October, contributing to the national grid in late summer.

From the technical point of view, the plant must meet N-2 redundancy requirements before going into generation. This means all necessary transmission lines must be completed before full operations. Furthermore, redundancy must also be ensured during the power generation phase. The RNPP project authorities have requested a 1,930 MW standby gas-based power capacity during the plant’s operation.