Green Light for Gujarat: KAPS 700 MW Reactors Begin Five-Year Run

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted a five-year operational licence for two 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. Developed indigenously by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), KAPS-3 and KAPS-4 are the first reactors of this capacity to be designed and built in India.

KAPS-3 achieved full-power operation in August 2023, followed by KAPS-4 in August 2024. In a statement, AERB confirmed that it had completed comprehensive Design and Commissioning Safety Reviews before issuing the operational licence for both units. The licensing process, which spanned nearly 15 years, involved a series of multi-tiered safety assessments covering all stages from siting and construction to commissioning.

This milestone marks a significant step forward for NPCIL, which is currently developing ten additional 700 MW PHWRs under its fleet mode construction programme. The reactors represent an evolution from the earlier 540 MW PHWR design, with similar units already operational in Rajasthan and planned at multiple sites nationwide.

The rigorous safety reviews drew on the expertise of nuclear safety specialists and technical support organisations. The AERB’s decision underscores growing confidence in India’s indigenous nuclear technology and supports the country’s push toward a low-carbon, self-reliant energy future.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.