New Delhi: The fourth unit of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd's (NPCIL) Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) has achieved criticality, which means it has started controlled fission chain reaction. In a statement released on Monday, the Department of Atomic Energy said, "The Unit 4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP 4 – 700 MW) achieved the important milestone of Criticality (start of controlled fission chain reaction) for the first time on December 17, 2023 (Sunday) at 01:17 hrs. The criticality was achieved after meeting all the stipulations of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which had issued clearance after a rigorous review of safety of the plant systems."
KAPP-4 is the second in the series of sixteen indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) of 700 MW each being set up in the country.
After the first criticality, several experiments / tests will be conducted in KAPP-4 and the power level raised in steps, in line with the clearances of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), ultimately culminating in the operation of the unit at full power.
KAPP 3&4 (2X700 MW) are located at Kakrapar in Surat district of Gujarat, adjacent to the existing reactors KAPS 1&2 (2X220 MW). These indigenous PHWRs have advanced safety features and are among the safest reactors in the world. While these reactors have been designed, constructed, commissioned and operated by NPCIL, the supply of equipment and execution of contracts have been by Indian industries / companies, and thus the true reflection of the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, said the statement.
The event was witnessed by NPCIL CMD BC Pathak, who was present in the control room of the station with the site team. Officials at NPCIL headquarters witnessed the event through a video link. Addressing the officials at the site and headquarters after the event, the CMD of NPCIL congratulated all the employees of NPCIL. He said that the achievement of criticality by KAPP-4, within six months of commercial operation of Unit-3, was a significant achievement. "Together with the smooth operation of KAPP-3, it demonstrated the strength of NPCIL in all facets of nuclear power viz. design, construction, commissioning and operation," he said. He urged everyone to work towards rapid completion of the units under construction.
NPCIL presently operates 23 reactors with a total capacity of 7,480 MW and has nine units (including KAPP-4) with a capacity of 7,500 MW under construction. In addition, 10 more reactors with a total capacity of 7000 MW are in pre-project activities. These are expected to be completed progressively by 2031-32.
