Nuclear fuel loading has begun at unit 7 of India’s Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP), according to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). The initial fuel loading process began after receiving permission from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and on completion of all other requirements, NPCIL said.
This will be followed by first criticality with commercial operation expected to start later this year. Unit 8 at RAPP is expected to begin operation in 2025. Construction of the two reactors, however, was delayed and over budget. It cost INR 90bn ($1bn) and eight additional years to complete the units.
NPCIL said RAPP 7 is the third in the series of 16 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWR) being built in India. The first two began commercial operations at Kakrapar (units 3&4) in Gujarat in 2023-24.
In July, the 220 MWe unit 3 at RAPP was connected to the grid after undergoing major renovation and modernisation, including the replacement of the coolant channel, feeder, and other upgrades. This has extended the operating life of RAPP 3 by 30 years. The unit began commercial operation in June 2000 and was closed for renovation and modernisation in 2022.
NPCIL currently operates 24 nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 8,080 MWe with another eight reactors under construction totalling 6,800 MWe. The government has also given a fleet-mode approval for 10 more 700 MWe reactors.
