The IAEA nuclear watchdog said warm water streaming out of the light-water reactor at North Korea's Yongbyon facility suggests that the plant is operational. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found that a new nuclear reactor is apparently operational at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex, sparking concern about an additional potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons. North Korea has so far used spent fuel from a 5-megawatt nuclear reactor at Yongbyon to meet its plutonium requirements to run its nuclear facility. However, according to the IAEA, a seemingly new discharge of warm water from a larger light-water reactor suggests that it is also operational. "The discharge of warm water is indicative the reactor has reached criticality," IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Thursday, meaning the nuclear chain reaction in the reactor is self-sustaining. Since October, the IAEA has observed a strong outflow of water from the light-water reactor's cooling system, indicative of ongoing employment of the reactor. The presence of warm water is one of the more recent clues, Grossi said. Concerns over expansion of North Korea's nuclear programme In 2009, North Korea expelled international investigators so the IAEA does not have access to the country. The agency now relies on satellite imagery for investigating North Korea.  Without access, the IAEA cannot confirm if the nuclear reactor is operational, Grossi said. "The LWR, like any nuclear reactor, can produce plutonium in its irradiated fuel, which can be separated during reprocessing, so this is a cause for concern," he said, adding that the advancement of North Korea's nuclear program was "deeply regrettable." A study from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California also concluded the reactor could be operational. It added that it may be "a significant source of nuclear material" for the nuclear weapons program, which is banned by UN Security Council resolutions. Another study by the Institute for Science and International Security estimated that the light-water reactor "could allow a surge in plutonium quantities at an estimated rate of about 20 kilograms of plutonium per year, a rate four to five times larger than that of the small adjacent reactor."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Oct 10) inaugurated reactor pressure vessel installation work of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), calling the day as "very important" for the country and herself as well.   "Today is a very important day for us. The day is not only important for Bangladesh but also for mine as well," she said after opening the installation work through video conferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka this morning.    The Premier later witnessed the RNPP's reactor pressure vessel installation process.   With installation of the reactor in the main unit of the nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna, the country's dream to produce nuclear energy is going to be materialized.   Installation of almost all types of nuclear equipment was completed by setting up reactor pressure vessels inside the physical structure of Unit-1. As a result, the work inside the reactor building of this unit nears completion.    Rooppur NPP has accumulated the best Russian practice and dozens of years of experience and scientific thoughts and the unique combination of active and passive systems of the power units will ensure safe operation of the power plant and guarantee the planned level of electricity generation.   Development of nuclear power industry will not only resolve the problem of energy supply in Bangladesh but will also contribute to the development of the region and enhance the living standards of the people.   The nuclear power plant in Pabna that consists of two units with a capacity of 1,200MW each is the country's maiden power project of its kind.   The Ruppur project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, which is being constructed with the technical and financial support of Russia.    Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman presided over the function and Russia's state-run atomic energy body Rosatom's Director General Alexey Likhachev spoke as the special guest from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project site.   Science and Technology Secretary Ziaul Hasan delivered the welcome address while Project Director of the plant Dr Mohammad Shawkat Akbar joined it connecting from reactor building.    A video presentation was screened on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at the function. Source: BSS AH

The much awaited ‘Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessel’ is going to be installed in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant situated in Pabna district. It is called the ‘heart’ of a nuclear power plant. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate it through video conferencing at 11 am on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Pabna Bishwas Russel Hossain and Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Imrul Kayesh confirmed about the inauguration program. According to Russian atomic energy agency (RUSATOM) and the project sources, the reactor pressure vessel reached in the country through waterways of about 14 thousand kilometers for the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in October last year. To place the reactor its infrastructure was constructed throughout the year. The ‘Reactor Pressure Vessel’ is the main part of the power plant. Key fuels will be put here. It was known that, the weight of the pot is 333.60 tons. The reactor reached at the Mongla port on its way through Black Sea and Suez Canal. From there it was brought to Pakshi at Ishwardi through waterways of the Padma. Meanwhile, all out preparation has been taken for the inaugural program of placement of the reactor at the project site at Rooppur in Ishwardi. Experts and guests from the country and abroad were invited. Science and Technology Minister Dr. Yafes Osman, Project Director Dr. Sowkat Akbar, experts from Russia and concerned ministry officials will be present in the inaugural program. Mentionable, Bangladesh Awami League in its election manifesto in 2008 pledged about constructing the Nuclear Power Plant. In 2010 a framework agreement was signed with Russia about peaceful use of the nuclear power. The proposal was accepted in the parliament to construct the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in the same year. In 2012 Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Act was passed in the parliament. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first phase work of the power plant in 2013. AH