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Unit-1 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS-I) in Gujarat, has completed one year of uninterrupted operation. KAPS-I has been supplying electricity to the grid continuously, since September 16, 2004. This is a new record for Indian reactors. The other units, KAPS-2, has been under continuous operation since January 30, 2005. This shows that Indian nuclear power plants are now capable of operating continuously between two mandatory shutdowns.
KAPS has been designed, constructed and is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), a public sector undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). It comprises 2 x 220 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water reactors that use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant.
The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) has evolved performance indicators to compare performance of nuclear power plants worldwide. KAPS has consistently been among the top performing plants internationally, when judged against these parameters. KAPS-I was adjudged the best performing PHWR in the world for the period October 2001-September 2002. Station Director, KAPS was conferred the Nuclear Excellence Award by WANO. This high level of performance has been achieved compromising safety. Indeed the nuclear and industrial safety record of KAPS has also been of to the highest order.
During the past one year there has been no incidence, even of level ‘O’, as per the INES scale of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In appreciation of its Industrial Safety Performance the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has awarded the runner-up prize to KAPS for 2004. {The first prize has been awarded to Narora Atomic power Station (NAPS).} The safety performance and industrial safety accident rate have been consistently better than the world median.
NPCIL was founded in 1987 and completed 18 years on September 16, 2005. It has, in the period, acquired expertise in all areas of work relating to nuclear power, namely, sitting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and life extension.
India’s largest reactor, the 540 MWe Unit-4 of Tarapur Atomic Power Project (TAPP-4) went into commercial operation on September 12, 2005. With the addition, of TAPP-4, NPCIL now operates 15 reactors in the country having an aggregate capacity of 3310 MWe. It is also constructing another 7 reactors aggregating 3420 MWe. NPCIL stations have operated safely and reliably. In over 238 reactor years of accumulated operation there has been no radiological accident.
UM/SPS/NC
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