Nuclear Power Plants of India


Nuclear Power Plants of India
The Nuclear Power is the fourth largest power source in India. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is responsible for the construction, design, operation and maintenance of the nuclear power plants across the country.

India currently operates 23 nuclear power reactors ins in 7 states, with a total installed capacity of 7,480 MegaWatt electric (MWe) contributing 3.11% of total power generation in India. 

Apart from these, India also has 18 Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 Light Water Reactors (LWRs).

Nuclear Power Plants of India is an important topic for all competitive exams including IBPS, RRB Insurance, PSC & UPSC exams.

Basic Facts

  • Atomic Energy Commission was established in – 1948.
  • NPCIL was set up in – 1987.
    • Headquarters of NPCIL – Mumbai
  • Total No. of Nuclear Power Plants in India – 7.
  • Total No. of Nuclear Reactors in India – 22.
    • No. of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) 18.
    • No. of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) – 4.
  • First Atomic/Nuclear Power Plant In India – Tarapur (150MW, 1969).
  • First Nuclear Reactor of India – Apsara I (Maharashtra, 1956).
    • First Nuclear Reactor of Asia – Apsara I.
    • Designed by – Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC).
    • Collaboration with – United Kingdom.
    • Fuel –  80% enriched Uranium.
    • Inaugurated by – Prime Minister Nehru  (20 Jan 1957).
  • First Heavy Water Plant in India – Nangal (1962).
  • First indigenously built Nuclear Power Station in India – Madras Atomic Power Station.
  • Largest Nuclear Power Plant In India – Koodangulam Atomic Power Station (2,000 MW).
    • Second Largest Nuclear Power Plant In India – Rawabhata (Rajasthan).
    • Third Largest Nuclear Power Plant In India – Kaiga (Karnataka).
  • India's Nuclear Power Plant similar in structure compared to Fukushima Daiichi of Japan – Koodangulam Atomic Power Station.
  • The nuclear plant that set world record for functioning continuously without any interruption for more than 941 days – Kaiga Atomic Power Station (Karnataka, 2018).

List of Nuclear Power Plants in India

Atomic Power Stations Locations India

The following table lists all the 7 important Atomic Power Stations of India.

NameLocationYear of Commission
Kakrapar Atomic Power Station
(KAPP)
Kakrapara
(Gujarat)
1993
Kaiga Power Project
(KPP)
Kaiga
(Karnataka)
2000
Koodangulam Atomic Power Station
(KNPP)
Koodangulam
(Tamil Nadu)
2013
Madras Atomic Power Station
(MAPS)
Kalpakkam
(Tamil Nadu)
1984
Narora Atomic Power Station
(NAPS)
Narora
(Uttar Pradesh)
1991
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station
(RAPS)
Rawabhata
(Rajasthan)
1973
Tarapur Atomic Power Station
(TAPS)
Tarapur
(Maharashtra)
1969

List of Planned Nuclear Power Plants in India

The following table lists all the planned Atomic Power Stations of India.

Name/LocationStateTotal capacity (MW)
JaitapurKarnataka9,900
KovvadaAndhra Pradesh6,600
KavaliAndhra Pradesh 6,000
GorakhpurHaryana2,800
Mahi BanswaraRajasthan2,800
ChutkaMadhya Pradesh1,400
Kudankulam Unit 5 & 6Tamil Nadu2,000
ChennaiTamil Nadu1,200


📝 SideNotes:

  • First Chairman of BARC – Homi J. Bhabha.
  • Father of the Indian Nuclear Program – Homi J. Bhabha.
  • Father of the Indian Space Program – Vikram Sarabhai.
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