Rooppur Receives Sixth Uranium Consignment Amid Tight Security
Another consignment of nuclear fuel has reached the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, from Dhaka under tight security. The convoy carrying the uranium entered the project area at 6:10 AM on Saturday, November 14. This marks the sixth consignment to arrive at Rooppur this year.
Earlier, the convoy departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Rooppur around 1:00 AM on Friday, November 13.
The fuel was transported by road under stringent security provided by the army, police, Special Security Force (SRB), and other law enforcement agencies. Vehicular and public movement along various roads was restricted to ensure the safe passage of the convoy.
According to project sources, nuclear fuel has been brought into the country from Russia in several phases via special cargo aircraft. This fuel is being transported to Rooppur by road under strict security measures. Several more consignments are scheduled to arrive later this year.
The first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant achieved nuclear reaction, or ‘criticality,’ on October 11. Following necessary tests and inspections, the unit was granted permission on October 29 to enter the preparatory phase for electricity generation.
Preparations are now underway to gradually increase reactor power, start the turbine, and synchronize with the national grid. Each of the two units at the Rooppur plant has a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts. Once both units are operational, a total of 2,400 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national grid.
