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Indigenous Heavy Water Reactors

07 Jul 2025 GS 3 Science & Technology
Indigenous Heavy Water Reactors Click to view full image

Why in news : Indigenous Heavy Water Reactors at Kakrapar Get Operational Licence

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted a five-year operational licence to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) for Units 3 and 4 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. These are indigenously developed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)—the first of their kind in India.

Key Points:

  • KAPS-3 was cleared for full power operation in August 2023, and KAPS-4 in August 2024, during Phase-C commissioning.

  • The licensing process involved 15 years of multi-tiered, rigorous safety reviews by AERB and technical experts.

  • The issuance of the licence strengthens NPCIL’s plans to construct 10 more 700 MWe PHWRs in fleet mode, boosting India’s indigenous nuclear power capability.

Note: Indigenous heavy water reactors (HWRs) in India, primarily the Indian Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (IPHWR) series, are a key part of the country's nuclear power program. These reactors, developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), are based on the CANDU design but have been significantly indigenized and scaled up in capacity.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

Formation and Legal Basis:

  • Constituted on 15 November 1983 by the President of India under Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.

  • Headquarters: Mumbai.

  • Functions also derive authority from the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Mission:

To ensure that the use of ionising radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to health and the environment.

Organisational Structure:

  • Full-time Chairman, Ex officio Member, three part-time Members, and Secretary.

  • AERB is supported by several technical committees:

    • SARCOP – Reviews safety in operating DAE units.

    • SARCAR – Oversees radiation safety in non-DAE applications.

    • ACPSRs – Advises on siting, design, and commissioning of reactors.

    • ACNS – Recommends safety codes, guides, manuals, and advises on generic safety issues.

Historical Background:

  • Originated from early safety committees set up during the Tarapur and Rajasthan atomic power projects.

  • The Karkhanawala Committee (1979–81) recommended creating a statutory body.

  • Meckoni Committee (1987) further defined AERB’s responsibilities and merged DAE-SRC into AERB-SARCOP.


Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)

  • Established: September 1987 under the Companies Act, 1956.

  • Ownership: Wholly owned by the Government of India.

  • Administered by: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

  • Mandate: Design, construct, operate, and maintain atomic power stations for electricity generation under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.

  • Environmental Certification: All plants are ISO-14001 certified (Environmental Management System).

  • Operational Capacity (as of March 2025):

    • 24 reactors at 7 locations

    • Installed capacity: 8180 MWe

  • Competition: NPCIL was the sole nuclear plant operator until BHAVINI was formed in 2003. Post-liberalization, it faces talent poaching challenges from private sector entrants.



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