KAKRAPAR POWER PLANT Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Nuclear Technology)

Context: Recently, Unit 4 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project in the Surat district of Gujarat achieved the significant milestone of criticality, marking the commencement of a controlled fission chain reaction for the first time at 0117 hrs.

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project

• Location of KAPP 3&4: Kakrapar, Surat district, Gujarat. These indigenous PHWRS boast advanced safety features, making them among the world's safest reactors.
• KAPP Unit­ 3: The commercial electricity generation at Unit­3 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPP) commenced on August 30. This milestone signifies a significant step in India's nuclear power capabilities.
• KAPP-4: The KAPP-4 is a 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). The criticality was achieved after meeting all the stipulations of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which issued clearance after a rigorous review of the safety of the plant systems.

oIt is the second in the series of sixteen indigenous PHWRs of 700 MW each being set up in the country.

• Post-Criticality Experiments/Tests: After achieving the first criticality, KAPP-4 will undergo various experiments and tests to ensure its functionality.
• Gradual Power Level Increase: 
• NPCIL's Current Operations: NPCIL currently operates 23 reactors with a total capacity of 7,480 MW. With nine units, including KAPP-4, under construction, the organization is poised for a total capacity of 7,500 MW in the near future.
• Presently, India has 22 nuclear power reactors operating in 7 states.