KARWAR: The indigenously developed Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KAPS) has set a new world record among pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) with one of its units operating uninterrupted for more than 894 days as of Wednesday. The previous record for continuous operation was held by a unit of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS) of Canada which operated continuously for 894 days and a few hours. Officials of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) are expected to make a formal announcement on Thursday after the completion of the 895th day of operation.
The Unit-1 of KAPS equalled the world record at 9 am on Wednesday. Located 56 km from Karwar, the Kaiga plant has four units. Each unit generates 220 MW power. The power generated here is supplied to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Karnataka’s share is 33 per cent.
“The 220 MW capacity Unit-1 has been operating since May 13, 2016, without a break. It is an indigenous PHWR fuelled by domestic fuel (uranium) and started to operate in 2000. So far, the unit has generated about 2,644 crore units of electricity. During its continuous operation of 894 days, the unit generated about 470 crore units of electricity,” a spokesperson for Kaiga plant told The New Indian Express.
“On Wednesday around 9 am, KAPS’s Unit-1 completed continuous operation of 894 days and it equalled the record of Canada’s PNGS unit. On Thursday, the Kaiga unit will formally stand at first place among PHW reactors. Kaiga Unit-1 also stands at second position among all types of nuclear power reactors in the world, which include advanced gas-based reactors (AGRs),” he explained.
Four months ago, the same unit of Kaiga had set a national record for continuous operation of 766 days and it was second in the world among PHW reactors. “With this achievement, other developed countries including the US and the UK, which have not achieved such a record, are now looking at India,” the official added.
After the Pokhran nuclear test in 1998, the United States and other developed countries imposed harsh sanctions on India. During that time, an indigenous technology was used to set up the Kaiga nuclear power generating station.
Unit-1 in good condition
The working condition of all units is monitored by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. Officials and cross-check the condition of the units. If the unit requires maintenance, they order shutdown for a few days. In September, the officials visited Kaiga and gave their nod for continuous operation for next few months.