India’s First Private Heavy Water Test Unit Unveiled

01 Aug 2025 CW Team

Senior officials from state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have inaugurated the country’s first private-sector test facility for upgrading depleted heavy water, commissioned by TEMA India Ltd.

The facility was jointly inaugurated by Shri Rajesh V, Director – Technical, NPCIL, and Shri K.T. Shenoy, Director of the Chemical Engineering Group at BARC.

Developed under technology transfer from BARC and backed by a purchase order from NPCIL, the advanced test facility has been designed and built by TEMA India’s nuclear division. This milestone aligns with the Government of India’s Atma-Nirbhar Bharat mission and represents a significant leap in private sector participation in strategic infrastructure.

Until now, such critical testing infrastructure for heavy water distillation components existed only within BARC.

Also unveiled at the event was the first validated consignment of eight distillation column sections. These include activated phosphor bronze modules — essential for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) — which have undergone thorough in-house testing.

These modules are now set to be deployed across major nuclear power projects, including RAPP Unit 8, GHAVP Units 1–4, and KAIGA Units 5 and 6.

This initiative demonstrates growing self-reliance in high-technology sectors. By fully designing, manufacturing and validating nuclear components domestically, India is reducing its dependence on foreign imports and centralised public-sector testing infrastructure.

The project strengthens national energy security, builds indigenous capabilities, and boosts long-term resilience across India’s nuclear ecosystem.

Infrastructure Energy

22 Oct 2025

KEC Secures Rs 10, 380 Mn Substation Order in Saudi Arabia

KEC International Ltd., a global infrastructure EPC major, and an RPG Group company, has secured a new order worth Rs 10,380 million for the Design, Supply and Installation of a 380 kV GIS Substation in Saudi Arabia.Vimal Kejriwal, MD & CEO, KEC International Ltd., commented, “We are delighted with the successive order wins in our T&D business. In a landmark achievement, we have secured our largest ever substation order. This prestigious order in the Middle East has widened our portfolio and strengthened our presence in the region. With this strategic win, our year-to-date or..

Central Bank of India executes first fully digital SCF deal on PSB Xchange

In a major advancement for India’s banking sector, Central Bank of India (CBI) has successfully completed the country’s first fully digital supply chain finance (SCF) transaction on PSB Xchange—a unified multi-lender platform launched by PSB Alliance. PSB Xchange is designed to connect public and private sector banks, NBFCs, and fintechs with corporates and their channel partners to facilitate supply chain finance and small business loans. The transaction marks the first time a fintech-originated corporate lead has been seamlessly processed through the PSB Xchange ecosystem. The lead fl..

Atlanta Electricals secures Rs 1,835 Mn transformer order from BNC Power

Atlanta Electricals Limited (“Atlanta”) has secured an order worth Rs 1,835 million from BNC Power Projects Ltd for the supply of extra high voltage (EHV) transformers and a bus reactor for its Pugal site. The contract includes a mix of 315 MVA, 400 KV and 100 MVA, 132 KV transformers along with a 400 KV bus reactor. The project scope encompasses design, manufacturing, testing, and supply to the project site. Deliveries will be sequenced following engineering and drawing approvals, offering multi-quarter execution visibility and ensuring a steady production run-rate. The order will be ex..