Russia celebrates 65th anniversary of world’s first commercial NPP

Russia has celebrated the 65th anniversary of world’s first nuclear power plant, which was connected to grid for commercial purpose.

Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant with just 5 MW capacity was commissioned on June 27, 1954 by the then Soviet Union in the city of Obninsk, approximately hundred kilometres southwest of Moscow.

The plant operated successfully for almost five decades, until it was closed on April 29, 2002, according to a press statement.  

Rosatom, the Russian nuclear giant is kick-starting a series of events to mark the 65th year of the first nuclear power plant of the world, which also set the foundation of Russia’s nuclear energy industry.

Celebrations commenced at the Rosatom corporate headquarter in Moscow and the local media was taken on a tour of the Obninsk NPP.

The city of Obninsk will also host concerts and award ceremonies as well as an international scientific and technical conference on nuclear energy to mark the occasion.

Under the technical and financial assistance from Russia, Bangladesh is setting up its first nuclear power plant in Pabna. The Rooppur NPP will host two VVER 1200 power units each of 1200 MW capacity.

The first unit is expected to be commissioned in 2023 while the second in 2024.