India Boosts Nuclear Power Capacity with New PHWRs
The Indian government has made significant strides in its nuclear energy sector, recently reporting progress on ten indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) that are part of a broader fleet initiative. These reactors are currently at various stages of pre-project activities. Furthermore, there are three indigenous 700 MW PHWRs already in operation, with one undergoing commissioning and two under construction.
In a major achievement, full indigenization has been accomplished for critical components of the reactors and the production of fuel assemblies for the indigenous 700 MW PHWRs. This advancement has allowed for standardization across the board, facilitating bulk procurement of long-manufacturing-cycle equipment and components. The staggered delivery schedules that have resulted from this initiative are leading to both time and cost reductions in the production process.
Recent Nuclear Power Milestones
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has reported several key achievements since December 2022:
Firstly, there has been a significant addition of 2100 MW to the country’s nuclear power capacity with the completion of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) Units 3 and 4, as well as the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) Unit 7.
Additionally, NPCIL achieved its highest-ever power generation, producing 56,681 Million Units (MU) during the financial year 2024-25. This impressive output has also contributed to preventing the release of approximately 49 million tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
In terms of operational efficiency, RAPS-3 resumed operations on July 24, 2024, after successfully completing major renovation and modernization activities, which included the replacement of coolant channels and feeders alongside other safety upgrades. Notably, these renovations were completed in a record timeframe, setting a benchmark among Indian reactors.
Moreover, the oldest operating nuclear reactor in the world, Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) Unit 1, achieved criticality on December 30, 2025, following a comprehensive refurbishment process.
Lastly, NPCIL has accomplished continuous, safe, and reliable operations for over one year on 54 different occasions since its inception, with 12 of those being in the time frame since December 2022 alone.
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