Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Two years after the shut down of the Kakrapur Atomic Power Station (KAPS-1&2) due to a leak at Surat in south Gujarat, it’s Unit 2 attained ‘criticality’ early on Monday after undergoing a renovation and modernization programme, a top official said here. The 220MW KAPS-2 went critical – or initiation of self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction in the reactor – at 2.22 a.m today (Monday), said Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL)’s Associate Director (CP&CC) A. K. Nema. The refurbishing work included En-Masse Collant Channel Replacement, En Masse Feeder Replacement and other safety upgrades at the KAPS, around three and a half months before schedule.
The leak was plugged some 10 days later after which the refurbishing work was taken up. While KAPS-2 has resumed operations, KAPS-1 is expected to follow suit soon, said an official. Besides, two more PHWR units KAPS-3&4 of 700MW are being constructed at the same site in Vyara town near Surat.
Also Read: Two Koreas to hold high-stakes summit with nuclear talks in jeopardy
NCPIL currently operates 22 nuclear power reactors, including the 100MW RAPS-1, owned by the Department of Atomic Energy, with a capacity of 6780MW. An additional eight reactors with a capacity of 6200MW are currently under construction in different parts of India, while work is underway for 12 more nuclear reactors with a capacity of 9000MW for which all administrative and financial sanctions have been received from the government, Nema said.
