NPCIL plans to construct four new atomic power units

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), a public sector company, has reportedly planned to build four new nuclear power units in 2020.

News agency IANS quoted Atomic Energy Commission chairman KN Vyas, who said two units with 700MW capacity will be built in the state of Haryana. The official also said another two units will be built in the state of Tamil Nadu with 1GW capacity each.

He added that a 700MW reactor will become fully operational later this year.

He continued: “In respect of projects implementation, the first indigenous 700MW pressurised heavy water reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat achieved its first criticality on 22nd July.”

“The reactor is expected to commence full power operation towards the latter half of the year. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is monitoring the performance of the unit very closely.”

Currently, two units of 220MW capacity are present at the power station. Vyas further explained that the reactor would soon enter its commercial operation phase.

Vyas added: “NPCIL also plans to start construction of two new projects: Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana [2x700MW reactors] in Haryana, and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project 5&6 units [2x1GW reactors] in Tamil Nadu, during the course of the year.”

In another development, Sembcorp Energy India, a subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, has announced the completion of Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI’s) 800MW wind power projects.

By commissioning its 300MW SECI 3 wind project, Sembcorp Energy has become the first independent power producer to deliver projects awarded in the first three wind tenders held by SECI.

The clean energy generated by these wind projects will power more than 600,000 homes while offsetting more than two 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.