The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted a 5-year operation license to Units 3 and 4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. These are India’s first indigenously developed 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). The operational licence is valid for 5 years, granted to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).
About the Reactors
- The 700 MW PHWR is an upgraded version of the existing 540 MW PHWR.
- The development marks a shift from earlier units:
- 15 PHWRs of 220 MW
- 2 PHWRs of 540 MW
- A similar 700 MW reactor in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, began commercial operation in March 2025
About PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor)
- Forms the first stage of India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme.
- Fuel: Natural uranium (99.28% U-238).
- By-product: Plutonium-239, used for MOX fuel in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) of stage 2.
- Coolant & Moderator: Heavy water (D₂O).
- Design Advantage: Uses thin-walled pressure tubes instead of large pressure vessels—improves safety in case of rupture.
History of PHWR in India
- Began with Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-1) under Indo-Canadian cooperation.
- After Canada withdrew post-Pokhran-1 (1974), India indigenised PHWR technology.
- Developed a standard 220 MWe design beginning with Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) in Uttar Pradesh.
About AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board)
- Established: 1983 by the President of India under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
- Legal Backing: Derived from Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- Mandate: Ensure safe use of ionising radiation and nuclear energy for health and environmental protection.
Significance
- AERB’s licensing followed multi-stage design and safety reviews covering siting, construction, and commissioning.
- The development is a boost to India’s indigenous nuclear capabilities.
- NPCIL is building 10 PHWRs of 700 MWe each in fleet mode.
- India currently operates 15 PHWRs of 220 MWe and 2 PHWRs of 540 MWe capacity across various sites.