India debuts largest homegrown nuclear reactor
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

India debuts largest homegrown nuclear reactor

According to officials overseeing the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat, India's success in connecting its largest domestically-built nuclear reactor to the grid is a boost for plans to deploy the technology to help the world's third-biggest polluter limit emissions.

As per India's atomic energy secretary KN Vyas, the 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactor of the atomic power station is the first of the 16 planned units that will help balance the grid against growing intermittent renewable generation.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), which connected the reactor to the grid last week, expects to start five more units through March 2027, and is placing orders for another ten to be commissioned by 2031. According to the state monopoly, the fleet's combined cost is estimated at Rs 1.5 trillion ($20.4 billion).

India considers nuclear power a "safe, environmentally benign and economically viable source" of energy, it said in its document “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” at the Paris climate summit in 2015. According to the document, the nation's goal is to achieve 63 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2032, given there is enough fuel to run the plants.

The country has 6.8 GW of existing nuclear generation capacity, which accounts for roughly 2% of the nation's total capacity. Coal-fired generation makes up about 53% of India's installed base, although its share has been declining in favour of cleaner generation and renewable power.

According to officials overseeing the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat, India's success in connecting its largest domestically-built nuclear reactor to the grid is a boost for plans to deploy the technology to help the world's third-biggest polluter limit emissions.As per India's atomic energy secretary KN Vyas, the 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactor of the atomic power station is the first of the 16 planned units that will help balance the grid against growing intermittent renewable generation. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), which connected the reactor to the grid last week, expects to start five more units through March 2027, and is placing orders for another ten to be commissioned by 2031. According to the state monopoly, the fleet's combined cost is estimated at Rs 1.5 trillion ($20.4 billion). India considers nuclear power a safe, environmentally benign and economically viable source of energy, it said in its document “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” at the Paris climate summit in 2015. According to the document, the nation's goal is to achieve 63 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2032, given there is enough fuel to run the plants. The country has 6.8 GW of existing nuclear generation capacity, which accounts for roughly 2% of the nation's total capacity. Coal-fired generation makes up about 53% of India's installed base, although its share has been declining in favour of cleaner generation and renewable power.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028

India’s first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India’s infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity

The Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India’s busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train’s seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai–Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently

Delhi’s ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river’s health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?