In News:

India’s nuclear regulator, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), has granted the Licence for Operation of Units 3 and 4 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat — India’s first indigenously developed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).

Key Highlights:

• Operational Approval: The AERB concluded multi-stage design and commissioning safety reviews before granting the licence for both reactors.
  • KAPS-3: Achieved full-power commissioning in August 2023.
  • KAPS-4: Achieved full-power commissioning in August 2024.
• Licence Details:
  • Issued on July 3, 2025.
  • Valid for a period of five years.
  • Granted to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

Significance of the Development:

• These reactors are part of India’s first fleet of 700 MWe PHWRs, marking a major milestone in the country’s indigenous nuclear energy capabilities.
• The licensing process involved rigorous multi-tiered safety assessments spanning the full lifecycle:
  • Siting
  • Construction
  • Commissioning
  • Full-power operation
• Review was conducted with contributions from AERB and technical support organisations, involving over 15 years of evaluation.

India’s PHWR Progression:

• The 700 MWe PHWR design is an upgraded version of the 540 MWe model.
• A similar 700 MWe reactor began commercial operation at Rawatbhata (Rajasthan) in March 2025.

Broader Impact:

• The licence is a boost to NPCIL’s fleet-mode approach, which involves building 10 such 700 MWe PHWRs across India.
• It reinforces India’s commitment to self-reliance in nuclear technology under the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• It enhances the nation's ability to meet low-carbon energy targets through domestic nuclear capacity.