: Mumbai, 11 May 2026

 

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has approved the restart and continued operation of Unit 2 of Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) on May 07, 2026 following the successful completion of a major refurbishment work undertaken by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

TAPS Units 1 and 2, India’s first nuclear power reactors based on the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) design, commenced commercial operation in 1969. The refurbishment included complete replacement of reactor coolant recirculation piping with forged piping and fittings made of advanced corrosion-resistant Stainless Steel. The other safety upgrades included commissioning of Reactor Containment Filtered Venting System (CFVS), the Alternate Cooling Water System (ACWS), etc. Further, during the ongoing outage, inspection of critical reactor components such as the reactor pressure vessel welds, were carried out towards assessment of ageing status and residual life assessment. The evaluations have shown that the reactor can continue safe operation with the normal maintenance and surveillance programme.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board reviewed the results of the refurbishment, safety upgrades and inspection related assessments of TAPS unit-2 through its multi-tiered safety review process. The Board of AERB on May 6, 2026, after taking cognizance of the refurbishment, safety upgrades, inspections and assessments as well as the detailed reviews conducted by AERB, agreed to permit restart of the unit and operation for a further period of 10 years. AERB issued the permission for restart of TAPS Unit – 2 on May 7, 2026.

AERB will continue to maintain its regulatory oversight and monitor the safety performance of TAPS Units 1 & 2. Earlier, TAPS Unit – 1 underwent a similar refurbishment and reviews, after which the Board permitted its restart in the end of December 2025. This unit is currently operational at its rated power of 160 MWe. Units 1& 2 of Tarapur Atomic Power Station are Asia’s first commercial nuclear power plant units, commissioned in 1969. The plant is located at Tarapur near Boisar, Palghar District in Maharashtra.  

 

PIB Mumbai | Edgar Coelho/ Priti Malandkar

 

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