The preparatory works on the site meant for the Ruppur NPP construction are conducted by Atomestroyexport, General Contractor (one of the leading Russian engineering companies). This stage will take a year or a little more, while from 2015 it is planned to start the construction itself (5 years, according to the plan). The new plant is expected to start its work by 2020.
People’s dream
The first stone at the site was laid in the beginning of October 2013. The Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, noted, that “the Ruppur construction had been planned back in 1960-ies, before the declared independence of the Republic of Bangladesh. It’s the people’s long-term dream. Our goal is to give energy to all citizens and all economy sectors. Our strategic plan suggests that by 2021 generating capacities of the plant should reach 20 000 MW, while the nuclear energy part in the country will be 10%. We take Russia as a strategic partner for achieving this goal. The President of the RF assured me that the newest and safest nuclear technologies would be provided to us, so the station could work safely in any climate conditions. By 2021 – the golden jubilee of the country’s independence – we want to see Bangladesh as a middle-income country. I’m sure our dreams will come true”.
The new station will be located 160 km from the country’s capital Dhaka. It will consist of two 1000 MW reactors. The power units will be of so-called post-Fukushiman design, able to resist both strong earthquake and tsunami. The construction will be paid with the help of Russian $500 million credit. Spent nuclear fuel will be brought back to Russia.
Successful tests
While the Ruppur NPP is still at its first stage, another Asian project of Rosatom – Indian Kudankulam – in January has gone through another stage of testing. The first unit was taken to 50% capacity. “The testing of unit 1 equipment systems for 50% capacity went well – they said in Rosatom. – All systems proved to function good. The next stage is taking the unit to 70% and conducting the tests according to the start-up program”.
The first net connection of the unit was in October 2013. Today the specialists are doing step-by-step connection. Upon achieving yield threshold there will be planned testing with loss of load. Taking to 100% capacity will be done after thorough testing of all systems and equipment.
The Kudankulam NPP is being constructed with technical assistance of Russia, the client of the project and the plant operator is Nuclear Power Corporation of India. The construction of unit 2 is at its final stage. The parties have almost finished preparation for the NPP second stage (units 3 and 4). Today Kudankulam is the most up-to-date NPP project in the world with physical start up already done and net connection works in progress.
