India's third indigenous 700 MWe nuclear reactor reaches criticality
- In Reports
- 06:48 PM, Sep 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant unit 7 - India's third indigenously designed 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactor, Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant unit 7 has achieved first criticality on September 19 after receiving clearance from the Indian nuclear regulator.
As per the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), the commencement of operations signifies the completion of construction upon the first criticality. Now, before the device is linked to the electrical grid, it will undergo a number of tests. After that, its power output will gradually increase in steps until it reaches full power. Each step will require approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
On August 1, fuel loading at Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant Unit 7 (RAPP-7) commenced. This unit is part of India's 700 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) group, which also includes Kakrapar 3 and 4. In July 2020, Kakrapar 3 reached its first criticality. In January 2021, it connected to the grid, and in July 2023, it was declared to be in commercial operations. Kakrapar 4 began commercial operations at the end of March 2024, having achieved first criticality in late December 2023 and connecting to the grid in February 2024.
"The successful achievement of criticality of RAPP-7, after the smooth operation of the first two 700 MW PHWRs … at Kakrapar in Gujarat, demonstrated the maturity achieved by NPCIL in the design, construction and operation of the indigenous 700 MW PHWRs," NPCIL stated.
The Rajasthan plant currently has six operating PHWRs with a total capacity of 1180 MW. Another 700 MW - PHWR - ‘RAPPS-8’ is under construction and expected to start generating power next year.
In addition to Rajasthan units 7 and 8, four VVER pressurized water reactors supplied by Russia are being constructed at NPCIL's Kudankulam site in Tamil Nadu. The construction of two 700 MW units in Gorakhpur, Haryana, is also underway. BHAVINI is also creating a 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Madras, in addition to these.
Ten more 700 MW PHWRs—Kaiga units 5 and 6 in Karnataka, Gorakhpur units 3 and 4 in Haryana, Chutka units 1 and 2 in Madhya Pradesh, and Mahi Banswara units 1 and 2 and units 3 and 4 in Rajasthan—have been given administrative approval and financial sanction. The construction of four 700 MWe PHWRs at Mahi Banswara has been transferred to NPCIL and National Thermal Power Corporation's joint venture, Ashvini, with approval from the Indian government.
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