Why is it in the news?
- The Fourth unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-4) in Gujarat has achieved criticality.
About Criticality
- State where the chain reaction of nuclear fission in a reactor is self-sustaining.
- Each fission event produces enough neutrons for further fissions, maintaining a constant rate of fission and energy release.
- Initial step in nuclear energy generation.
About Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS)
- Nuclear power plant located in Surat, Gujarat.
- Operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
- Uses Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
- Fuel: Natural uranium.
- Coolant and Moderator: Heavy water.
- Four reactors – two 220 MW units and two 700 MW units.
- Total Capacity: 1,840 MW.
- The 700 MWe units are the largest indigenous nuclear power reactors built by NPCIL.
- Unit-3 and Unit-4 have steel-lined inner containment systems to prevent radioactive material escape.
- Passive decay heat removal systems for safe cooling even during shutdown.
| State of Nuclear Energy in India · Nuclear energy constituted approximately 2.8 percent of India’s total energy production. · NPCIL operates 23 reactors. · Total Capacity: 7,480 MW. · Ongoing construction projects and sanctioned projects aim to increase nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031. |
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