Indigenous Heavy Water Reactors Get Licence, Pg1

Context:

• India's nuclear regulator AERB has licensed two indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs at Kakrapar, enhancing India's nuclear energy capabilities and self-reliance.

Key Highlights:

• AERB has granted a five-year Licence for Operation of Units 3 and 4 at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS).
• Both reactors are 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), developed indigenously.
• KAPS-3 received full-power operation clearance in August 2023, and KAPS-4 in August 2024.
• Licensing involved rigorous multi-tiered safety reviews over nearly 15 years.
• Reviews covered the entire reactor lifecycle—siting, design, construction, commissioning.
• Experts from technical support organisations contributed to design and safety validation.
• NPCIL aims to construct 10 more 700 MWe PHWRs in fleet mode.

Detailed Insights:

• The licensing of India’s first indigenously developed 700 MWe PHWRs is a landmark in the country's civil nuclear programme.
• These reactors underwent comprehensive, multi-stage safety reviews, ensuring robust regulatory compliance.
• The approval process reflects the technical maturity of Indian nuclear design and the institutional strength of AERB.
• The move supports energy diversification, reduces fossil fuel dependence, and aligns with India’s net-zero goals.
• Building reactors in fleet mode improves cost-efficiency, ensures standardisation, and accelerates deployment.
• It demonstrates progress towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in the high-technology nuclear domain.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR): A type of nuclear reactor that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide) as both moderator and coolant, and natural uranium as fuel.
• Fleet Mode Construction: Parallel construction of multiple standardised units to optimise time, cost, and efficiency.
• AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board): The independent regulatory body overseeing nuclear safety and licensing in India.