In a groundbreaking development, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) announced that Unit-7 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) 7&8, India's third home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactor, achieved a major milestone with the successful completion of the hot conditioning of its primary heat transport system on November 30.
Hot conditioning serves as a prelude to further commissioning activities, including Initial Fuel Loading (IFL), First Approach to Criticality (FAC), and the eventual initiation of electricity generation. RAPP-7, the first unit of the RAPP 7&8 (2X700 MW) project located in Rawatbhata, is now poised for the next phase of its development. Significantly, its twin unit, RAPP-8, is also advancing rapidly in its construction.
Nationwide Expansion of Nuclear Power Capacity
India's commitment to bolstering its nuclear power capabilities is evident with the Nuclear Power Corporation's ambitious plan to build sixteen 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) across the country. Among these, the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat witnessed the commercial operations commencement of India's first indigenously developed 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (KAPS-3) on June 30. KAPS-4, its counterpart, is well underway in its construction, having completed Initial Fuel Loading in October.
Construction activities for 700 MW nuclear power plants are also in progress at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan (RAPS 7&8) and Gorakhpur in Haryana (GHAVP 1&2).
In a strategic move, the government has approved the construction of ten indigenously developed PHWRs in fleet mode at four locations - Gorakhpur (Haryana), Chutka (Madhya Pradesh), Mahi Banswara (Rajasthan), and Kaiga (Karnataka).
International Collaboration and Updates on Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project
Providing an update on the ongoing collaboration with Russia, the NPCIL reported the completion of concreting for the inner containment dome of reactor building-3 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP-3 unit of 1,000 MW) in Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, a significant shipment containing project cargo for KKNPP-3&4 and KKNPP-5&6 departed from Russia's St Petersburg port on October 10.
The Kundankulam nuclear power project comprises six units of 1,000 MW each, with two units already commissioned.
India's strides in nuclear power development underscore its commitment to meeting growing energy demands while advancing sustainable and clean energy production. As these projects progress, they pave the way for a future where nuclear power plays a pivotal role in the nation's energy mix.
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