NPCIL Initiates Fission in 2nd 700MW Unit at Kakrapar
Monday, 18 December 2023, 15:22 IST
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), the operator of India's atomic power plants, announced that the second 700 MW unit at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) in Gujarat has achieved criticality, marking the initiation of a controlled fission chain reaction. This marks the fourth atomic power unit for NPCIL at Kakrapar, where the corporation already operates three nuclear power plants, consisting of two 220 MW units and one 700 MW unit.
The first 700 MW unit began commercial operations on August 30, 2023 and the two units at Kakrapar are part of the NPCIL's indigenously designed and built 16 pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR) being set up in the country. "The criticality was achieved after meeting all the stipulations of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which had issued clearance after a rigorous review of the safety of the plant systems", the operator said.
NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director B.C. Pathak highlighted the noteworthy accomplishment of achieving criticality for KAPP-4 within six months of Unit-3's commercial operation. This success, coupled with the seamless operation of KAPP-3, underscores NPCIL's proficiency across all aspects of nuclear power, including design, construction, commissioning, and operation. Following the initial criticality, KAPP-4 will undergo various experiments and tests, with the power level gradually increasing in accordance with the clearances from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Ultimately, the unit will operate at its full power capacity.
In October, the NPCIL began the fuel-loading process for the second 700 MW unit. These indigenous PHWRs have advanced safety features and are among the safest reactors in the world. While these reactors have been designed, constructed, commissioned and operated by NPCIL, the supply of equipment and execution of contracts have been by Indian industries/companies, and thus the true reflection of the spirit of AtmaNirbhar Bharat, the NPCIL said.
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) is set to add two more 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to its existing lineup, which includes four units of 220 MW, one 200 MW, and one 100 MW unit. Currently, NPCIL operates 23 reactors with a combined capacity of 7,480 MW and has nine units, including KAPP-4, with a total capacity of 7,500 MW in various stages of construction. Additionally, there are 10 more reactors in pre-project activities, aiming for a total capacity of 7,000 MW. The NPCIL anticipates the completion of these projects progressively by the year 2031-32.
The first 700 MW unit began commercial operations on August 30, 2023 and the two units at Kakrapar are part of the NPCIL's indigenously designed and built 16 pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR) being set up in the country. "The criticality was achieved after meeting all the stipulations of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which had issued clearance after a rigorous review of the safety of the plant systems", the operator said.
NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director B.C. Pathak highlighted the noteworthy accomplishment of achieving criticality for KAPP-4 within six months of Unit-3's commercial operation. This success, coupled with the seamless operation of KAPP-3, underscores NPCIL's proficiency across all aspects of nuclear power, including design, construction, commissioning, and operation. Following the initial criticality, KAPP-4 will undergo various experiments and tests, with the power level gradually increasing in accordance with the clearances from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Ultimately, the unit will operate at its full power capacity.
In October, the NPCIL began the fuel-loading process for the second 700 MW unit. These indigenous PHWRs have advanced safety features and are among the safest reactors in the world. While these reactors have been designed, constructed, commissioned and operated by NPCIL, the supply of equipment and execution of contracts have been by Indian industries/companies, and thus the true reflection of the spirit of AtmaNirbhar Bharat, the NPCIL said.
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) is set to add two more 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to its existing lineup, which includes four units of 220 MW, one 200 MW, and one 100 MW unit. Currently, NPCIL operates 23 reactors with a combined capacity of 7,480 MW and has nine units, including KAPP-4, with a total capacity of 7,500 MW in various stages of construction. Additionally, there are 10 more reactors in pre-project activities, aiming for a total capacity of 7,000 MW. The NPCIL anticipates the completion of these projects progressively by the year 2031-32.
