A key technical hurdle at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has been cleared after a high-pressure test of a pressure-operated relief valve (PORV) on the first unit was successfully completed, paving the way for the next stage of the commissioning process.
The test was completed at around 2am on Thursday, 1 October, at a pressure of 16 megapascals (MPa), according to a source familiar with the matter at Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom.
The successful test comes after problems with the valve had contributed to delays in bringing the first unit towards electricity generation. The commissioning team is now preparing for another test at a pressure of around 18MPa, with each stage being assessed before the next one begins.
The latest test was conducted from both the main control room and the emergency control room. Engineers checked not only the performance of the control valve but also the operation of associated safety valves as part of the overall assessment.
During the procedure, the opening and closing of the valve were closely monitored, along with its response, warning signals and other relevant process parameters. The test was carried out under specified safety conditions and according to authorised procedures, the source said.
The step-by-step approach is particularly significant during the commissioning of a nuclear power unit, where individual systems must be tested and verified before the facility progresses to more advanced stages. A successful result at one pressure level does not, by itself, complete the entire commissioning process.
The next test at approximately 18MPa will therefore be another important checkpoint for the first unit. Results from that test will be reviewed before further commissioning activities are undertaken.
Rooppur’s first unit is being prepared for electricity generation through a series of technical and safety checks. Among these, equipment associated with pressure control is particularly important because valves such as the PORV form part of the systems designed to respond to pressure conditions within the reactor system.
The valve issue had delayed the commissioning schedule of the first unit, making its resolution a significant step for the project. With the 16MPa test now completed successfully, the commissioning team can move towards the next phase of verification.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being developed with two generating units, each designed to produce 1,200 megawatts of electricity. The project uses Russia’s VVER-1200 reactor technology. The first unit has already entered the fuel-loading and commissioning phase, during which its systems are progressively tested before the reactor can move towards initial operation and, eventually, electricity generation.
For the moment, however, the focus remains on completing the required technical checks. The upcoming 18MPa valve test and the assessment of its results will help determine the timing and scope of the subsequent commissioning activities.
The latest development does not mean that the first unit has immediately entered commercial electricity production. Rather, it marks progress in resolving a technical issue that had held up the commissioning process. The project team must still complete the remaining checks and obtain the necessary confirmation at each stage before the unit can advance towards regular power generation.
