India has achieved self-reliance in nuclear power generation: Ajit Kumar Mohanty

Karwar: The country achieved complete self-reliance by adopting fully indigenous technology and equipment in the installation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, said Ajit Kumar Mohanty, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and secretary of the department of atomic energy, govt of India.He spoke during the First Pour of Concrete ceremony at the nuclear power generation units 5 and 6 at Kaiga on Sunday.
The country aims to produce 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047, and for this, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) set a target of 54 gigawatts to contribute. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), Light Water Reactors, and newly introduced Small Modular Reactors are planned for nuclear power generation. Preliminary work on these is already underway on an experimental basis, with the highest priority given to safety and quality in nuclear power production, he said.The proposed units 5 and 6 at Kaiga are expected to reach the power generation stage in about 60 months. For the first time, this project is being implemented using an innovative strategy involving only a few mega EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) packages (such as nuclear island, turbine island, and nuclear equipment). The approach enables faster project execution, better coordination between various packages, and completion in minimal time and cost, he explained.Kaiga Units 5 and 6 are state-of-the-art, indigenous 700MW PHWRs featuring advanced safety measures, placing them among the safest nuclear plants in the world. Three such units are already successfully operating at KAPS-3, and four in Gujarat and RAPP-7 in Rajasthan. Materials and equipment for the project will be supplied by domestic industry partners, and the work will be carried out by Indian contractors, aligning with the govt's ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision. Currently, 4 220MW units at the Kaiga site are operating with a total installed capacity of 880 MW. After the completion of Units 5 and 6, the total capacity here will increase to 2,280MW, he added.On this occasion, NPCIL chairman and managing director Bhuvan Chandra Pathak, Kaiga site director B Vinod Kumar, and Kaiga Units 5 and 6 director Kulkarni, along with several NPCIL Kaiga officials, were present.Key highlightsSelf-reliance achievement: India fully indigenised nuclear power plant technology, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.Future goals: Targeting 100GW by 2047, with NPCIL contributing 54GW. This includes a mix of reactor types like PHWRs, LWRs, and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for enhanced efficiency and safety.Kaiga expansion: Units 5 and 6 (each 700MW) will boost the site's capacity from 880MW to 2,280MW. Construction uses streamlined EPC packages for faster, cost-effective delivery.Safety emphasis: Advanced features ensure these are among the world's safest reactors, with similar units already operational in other states.Timeline: Expected commissioning in about five years from the Feb 2024 inauguration.