IAEA Recommends Enhancements in Fire Safety and Operational Oversight at Rooppur Nuclear Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has advised the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) to strengthen fire prevention and response measures, improve operational supervision, and ensure careful equipment management during commissioning.

These recommendations followed a Pre-Operational Safety Review Team (Pre-OSART) visit to Unit 1 of the plant from August 10 to 27. The mission was conducted at the government’s request ahead of the plant’s planned commercial launch.

The IAEA noted that the plant operator is committed to maintaining operational safety and reliability as Bangladesh prepares to bring Rooppur NPP online. The mission praised several best practices, including the use of simulators at the Rooppur Training Centre for refueling machine operations.

The review focused on leadership, staff training, operational procedures, maintenance, emergency preparedness, and accident management, among other areas.

Situated on the banks of the Padma River in Pabna, Rooppur is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility. Owned by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and operated by Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited, the plant features two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined generation capacity of 2,400 megawatts. Unit 1 construction began in November 2017, followed by Unit 2 in July 2018.

The IAEA team of 14 experts from Europe, Asia, and the US observed commissioning and pre-operational activities, conducted staff interviews, and reviewed technical documentation.

Simon Morgan, senior nuclear safety officer at the IAEA, highlighted that plant management is dedicated to ensuring all safety measures are in place for a smooth and secure transition from commissioning to full operation.

Md Kabir Hossain, project director of Rooppur NPP, emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to the highest safety standards and expressed appreciation for IAEA peer reviews as a key tool for self-assessment.

The IAEA is expected to submit its final report on the mission to Bangladesh within the next three months.