India’s second 700 MW nuclear power KAPS-4 plant commences operations

India's second home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactor at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat has started operating at full capacity, according to the plant operator.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) stated that Unit 4 at KAPS was previously operating at 90% capacity before being raised to its full power of 700 MWe.

“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 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) design,” the NPCIL said.

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The KAPS-4 unit achieved its first criticality on December 17, last year, and began commercial operations on March 31. India is building 14 more 700 MW nuclear power reactors of the same design which are expected to commence operations progressively by 2031-32.

The power level of the unit, which started commercial operation on March 31, 2024, was increased in accordance with the permissions of the regulatory authority, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

The NPCIL presently operates a fleet of 24 reactors with a total capacity of 8180 MW and has eight units with a capacity of 6800 MW under construction.

 

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In addition, 10 more reactors with a total capacity of 7000 MW are in pre-project activities. These are expected to be completed progressively, taking the installed nuclear power capacity in the country to 22480 MW by 2031-32, the NPCIL said.

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