First indigenous nuclear power plant unit of India begins operation at full capacity; PM praises scientists involved

Digital Desk: In a historic development, India's first indigenously created nuclear power plant unit in Gujarat has begun full-scale operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded scientists and engineers on reaching "another milestone" on Thursday. "India achieves another milestone, The first indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in Gujarat begins full operation." he tweeted.

The Kakrapar Unit-3 is a new part of a nuclear power station that already has two working units, KAPS-1 and KAPS-2. These units can produce about 220 megawatts of electricity each. The third unit is bigger and more advanced than the other two. There is also a fourth unit, KAPP 4, which will start operating in March 2024. 

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which runs the country's nuclear reactors, stated on its website that "KAPP-3 and 4 are India's first pair of indigenously developed 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) with upgraded safety measures. Unit-3 has begun commercial operations as of June 30, 2023," it added. 

All civil works at Unit-4 have been finished, and the corporation stated that the progressive completion, testing, and commissioning of various equipment and systems is underway.

 The NPCIL reported that major milestones such as a hydro test of the primary heat transport system, reactor building proof test, integrated leak rate test, and hot conditioning were successfully completed. "Another major milestone, turbine-generator operation on barring gear, is successfully achieved in July 2023," added NPCIL.