Private Sector Builds India’s First Heavy Water Test Facility

28 Jul 2025 CW Team

In a major stride towards nuclear self-reliance, India’s first privately built test facility for upgrading depleted heavy water has been commissioned by TEMA India Ltd. The facility was inaugurated by Shri Rajesh V, Director – Technical, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), and Shri K. T. Shenoy, Director, Chemical Engineering Group, BARC. Developed under a technology transfer from BARC and a purchase order from NPCIL, the unit represents a landmark in public-private collaboration and supports the government’s Atma-Nirbhar Bharat initiative.

Previously, critical testing for heavy water distillation components was only conducted within BARC. This new facility—designed, engineered, and commissioned by TEMA India’s nuclear vertical—brings advanced nuclear infrastructure to the private sector for the first time.

The dignitaries also flagged off the first validated consignment of eight distillation column sections, comprising activated phosphor bronze modules, key to Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). These components, tested rigorously in-house, will be deployed at major projects including RAPP Unit 8, GHAVP Units 1–4, and KAIGA Units 5 & 6.

This development reduces reliance on imported nuclear components and external testing infrastructure, strengthening India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities in the strategic energy sector. It aligns with national goals of energy security, technology sovereignty, and long-term resilience in nuclear infrastructure.

The inauguration ceremony also featured a traditional pooja, tree plantation, and a symbolic dispatch of the first shipment. Officials hailed it as a landmark in India’s nuclear journey and a testament to the growing capabilities of Indian firms.

The initiative marks a new era of synergy between NPCIL, BARC, and private industry, showcasing how India’s public and private sectors can jointly develop high-tech infrastructure in critical domains.

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