Rooppur Nuclear Unit 1 Completes Fuel Loading

The first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has successfully completed fresh nuclear fuel loading into the reactor core. Officials described the development as a key milestone toward commissioning the unit and beginning commercial electricity generation.

The fuel loading process began on April 28 this year, during which 163 fuel assemblies were gradually installed into the reactor core. Authorities consider this one of the most critical stages before the unit can start electricity production.

Project Director of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Vice President of Atomstroyexport Alexey Deri said the process strictly followed the initial core loading program, operational regulations, and international nuclear safety standards.

He said the next phase will involve installing the reactor’s upper structure and connecting the necessary in-core instrumentation systems. Following this, hundreds of additional tests will be conducted to ensure the reliable and safe operation of all technical systems.

According to him, the reactor will soon be brought to a minimum controllable power level, after which its capacity will be gradually increased. These steps will pave the way for electricity generation and trial commercial operation of the first unit.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being built with technical and financial support from Russia. The project includes two VVER-1200 reactors with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts. These Generation III+ reactors meet all international safety standards. Rosatom’s engineering division is the project’s general designer and contractor.