Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit Starts Operations In Full Capacity, PM Modi Hails It As 'Major Milestone'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded a significant achievement as the first indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in Gujarat commences full commercial operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 31) said that "India has achieved another milestone" with the start of commercial operations of the first indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in Gujarat. The unit, which is located in the Surat district of Gujarat, was connected to the national grid in January 2023 and has now started operating at full capacity.

"India achieves another milestone. The first largest indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in Gujarat starts operations at full capacity. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers," PM Modi's post on social media platform X said. 

Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil expressed the party's appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the start-up of the indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3. Paatil praised the scientists and engineers' dedication and credited the successful launch to PM Modi's encouragement and support.

The unit is a pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) that was designed and built by Indian scientists and engineers. It is the first of two 700 MWe PHWRs being built at the Kakrapar site.

According to reports, the commissioning of the unit is a major boost for India's nuclear power program. It is also a testament to the skills and capabilities of Indian scientists and engineers. The unit is expected to generate around 700 million units of electricity per year, which will help to meet the growing demand for power in India.

The commissioning of the unit is also a major step towards India's goal of becoming a clean energy superpower. Nuclear power is a low-carbon source of energy that can help to reduce India's reliance on fossil fuels.

According to a statement issued earlier in March by the Department of Atomic Energy, the government has set a target of generating 20% of its electricity from nuclear power by 2030. The commissioning of Kakrapar Unit-3 is a significant step towards meeting this goal.

"India is not very rich in fossil fuel resources and considering the large and growing energy demand, all energy sources are deployed optimally. Nuclear power is a clean and environment friendly base load source of electricity generation, which is available 24X7. It also has a huge potential and can provide the country long term energy security in a sustainable manner. Expansion of nuclear power capacity will help in the country’s energy transition for meeting the goal of net zero economy," the statement read.