Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), country’s nuclear safety regulator issued the permission towards initiation of controlled nuclear fission reaction in the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) Unit-7 on September 09 2024, following a satisfactory outcome of the requisite safety reviews. RAPP-7 is located in the Rawatbhata district of Rajasthan and it is the third unit of the indigenously designed and built 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) based Nuclear Power Plant in India. The other two units of the same design are Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) units 3 & 4 located in Gujarat, which are currently operational.

The permission issued is for addition of heavy water to the moderator system and initiation of a controlled nuclear fission reaction, technically termed as First Approach to Criticality and subsequent conduct of low power physics experiments. The permission is granted after a comprehensive safety review of the reactor's design, construction and operational preparedness followed by deliberations in the Board of AERB.

Shri D. K. Shukla, Chairman AERB stated that, "AERB’s permission follows an extensive regulatory oversight process ensuring compliance to all relevant safety and regulatory requirements through systemic and structured safety reviews complemented with regulatory inspections. AERB’s resident site observer team at the site will continue to monitor the commissioning activities.”

 AERB's permission for RAPP-7 paves the way for the subsequent phases of reactor commissioning leading to its commercial electricity generation.

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NJ/PK Source: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

 

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