India’s second indigenously designed 700 MWe reactor is now operating at full power at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said KAPS 4 had been operating at 90% capacity before achieving full power.

“The full power operation of KAPS 4 after the smooth operation of its twin unit KAPS 3 at full power demonstrates the strength of the first-of-a-kind indigenous 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) design,” NPCIL said.

The KAPS-4 unit achieved first criticality in December 2023 and commenced commercial operations on 31 March. The power level of the unit was increased following permission from the regulatory authority, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

India is building 14 more 700 MWe reactors of the same design which are expected to begin operations progressively by 2031-32.

NPCIL currently operates a fleet of 24 reactors with a total capacity of 8,180 MWe and has eight units with a capacity of 6,800 MWe under construction. In addition, 10 more reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MWe are in the pre-project stage. These are expected to be completed progressively, taking the installed nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MWe by 2031-32, NPCIL added.

by neimagazine