The largest indigenously built nuclear reactor connected to power grid, info

New Delhi: The largest indigenously built nuclear reactor has been successfully connected to the power grid. This indigenously built atomic reactor is located at Kakrapar in Gujarat. India has drafted a comprehensive scheme to increase nuclear power generation. Accordingly, the focus has been improved on indigenous atomic reactor technology. Against this background, the successful connection of the indigenous nuclear reactor, at Kakrapar, to the power grid is considered a significant success. It is claimed that this is an excellent example of indigenously developed and built technology.

Atomic Energy Secretary NK Vyas informed that the 700-Megawatt nuclear reactor at Kakrapar was successfully connected to the national power grid by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India. Vyas said that with the maximisation of atomic power generation, the country could reduce its carbon footprint. Vyas said that this success would also encourage to build more nuclear power stations in the country.

The government has prepared a plan to build 16 indigenous nuclear power plants. This is the first of the 16 atomic reactors. This also is the largest indigenously-built atomic reactor. Vyas underlined that work for building 15 more nuclear power plants, similar to this, using Pressurised Heavy Water Technology, has been started in the country.

Another five indigenously built nuclear reactors will be commissioned by 2027 and ten more will be commissioned by 2031. These will cost nearly Rs 1.5 trillion (USD 20.4 billion). One nuclear reactor of 700 megawatts and two reactors of 220 megawatts will be built in Kakrapar itself.

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, India is working on reducing the Carbon footprint. Therefore, stress is being given on developing the non-conventional energy generation. India has set a target of 63 megawatts of nuclear power in the next ten years, and expeditious moves are being made in that direction. Atomic reactors are being built in collaboration with Russia and France. In 2006, India had signed a nuclear agreement with the United States. After that, nuclear contracts have been signed with Russia, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and South Korea. Agreements for Uranium supply have also been signed with France, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada, and Russia.