Mumbai, 10th September 2024

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), India’s nuclear safety regulator, has granted permission for the initiation of a controlled nuclear fission reaction in the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) Unit-7. This significant milestone follows a thorough review of safety measures and operational readiness.

RAPP-7, located in the Rawatbhata district of Rajasthan, is the third unit of the 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) design developed indigenously in India. This unit joins the existing operational units at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) in Gujarat.

The AERB's authorization covers the addition of heavy water to the reactor’s moderator system and the initiation of the First Approach to Criticality, which involves controlled nuclear fission. It also includes the conduct of low power physics experiments. This decision comes after comprehensive assessments of the reactor’s design, construction, and operational preparedness, as well as detailed deliberations by the AERB Board.

Chairman of AERB, Shri D. K. Shukla,  emphasized, “The AERB’s permission reflects our rigorous regulatory oversight and adherence to all safety and regulatory standards. Our systematic reviews and inspections ensure the highest safety levels. Our resident site observer team will continue to monitor the commissioning process closely.”

The approval marks a crucial step towards the full commissioning of RAPP-7 and its eventual contribution to India’s commercial electricity generation capacity.

 

DL/PM

 

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