India's Second 700 MW Nuclear Reactor at Gujarat's Kakrapar Begins Full Capacity Operation

New Delhi: India's second home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactor at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat began operating at full capacity on Wednesday. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) stated that Unit 4 at KAPS had been operating at 90 percent capacity before increasing it to the full power of 700 MWe.

"The full power operation of KAPS-4, following the smooth operation of its twin unit KAPS-3 at full power, demonstrates the strength of the first-of-its-kind indigenous 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) design," the NPCIL said.

The KAPS-4 unit achieved its first criticality on December 17 last year and commenced commercial operations on March 31.

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

India is constructing 14 more 700 MW nuclear power reactors of the same design, expected to begin operations progressively by 2031-32.

The NPCIL currently operates 24 reactors with a total capacity of 8,180 MW and has eight units with a combined capacity of 6,800 MW under construction.

Additionally, 10 more reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MW are in pre-project activities. These are expected to be completed progressively, increasing the installed nuclear power capacity in the country to 22,480 MW by 2031-32, according to NPCIL.