Nuclear Reactors in India (Kudankulam Project, Jaitapur Plant)
Science & Technology › Nuclear Technology and Energy · Topic 13.6
India operates about two dozen nuclear reactors at several sites, most of them pressurised heavy water reactors, and two Russian-designed light water reactors at Kudankulam. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu is built with the Russian company Rosatom under a 1988 agreement and has six planned VVER-1000 units of 1,000 megawatts each. Unit 1 started supplying power in October 2013 and Unit 2 in 2016 to 2017, while Units 3 to 6 are under construction. The Jaitapur plant in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra is planned to have six European Pressurised Reactors of about 1,650 megawatts each with the French company, which would make it the largest in the world, but it has been held up by cost, liability and local opposition.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Nuclear Technology and Energy
At a Glance
- Kudankulam Tamil Nadu, Russian VVER-1000
- Planned units Six at Kudankulam
- Jaitapur Maharashtra, French EPR, six units planned
- Oldest plant Tarapur, 1969
- Indigenous design 700 MWe PHWR
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Nuclear Technology and Energy
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the account of AERB. It lists the actual plants in operation or planned, with detail on the two big projects with foreign partners that are often asked about. Previous topic: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and Safety Standards in Nuclear Plants. Next topic: Department of Atomic Energy and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
What Are the Kudankulam and Jaitapur Projects?
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Kudankulam site | Radhapuram taluk, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, on the coast of the Gulf of Mannar. Operated by NPCIL |
| Kudankulam reactors | Six VVER-1000 pressurised water reactors of 1,000 MWe each, built with Russia. Unit 1 reached criticality in July 2013 and was synchronised to the grid in October 2013. Unit 2 was synchronised in 2016 and began commercial operation in 2017 |
| Units 3 to 6 | Under construction with Russian cooperation, in a series of agreements, with completion planned later this decade |
| Kudankulam protests | Local protests at Idinthakarai over safety were examined by the Supreme Court, which allowed the plant in May 2013 with safety directions |
| Jaitapur site | Madban village, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, on the Konkan coast |
| Jaitapur plan | Six EPR units of about 1,650 MWe, nearly 10 GW in total, with the French company Areva, now part of EDF. Agreement signed in 2010 and framework in 2018 |
| Jaitapur issues | High cost, supplier liability under the 2010 Act, local resistance on land and livelihoods, and the earthquake zone |
Which Other Indian Plants Exist?
- Tarapur (Maharashtra): India’s first nuclear power station, started in 1969 with two boiling water reactors of 160 MWe supplied by the United States, and now also two 540 MWe PHWRs
- Rawatbhata (Rajasthan): RAPP units, starting with a Canadian-designed reactor in 1973. Newer units of 700 MWe
- Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu): Madras Atomic Power Station and fast reactor facilities
- Narora (Uttar Pradesh): PHWR units in the Ganga plains
- Kakrapar (Gujarat): Units 3 and 4 are indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs, with Unit 3 the first to be commissioned in 2021
- Kaiga (Karnataka): PHWRs in the Western Ghats
- Fleet of 700 MWe units: new sites and units such as Gorakhpur in Haryana and Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan are planned
- Kovvada (Andhra Pradesh): a site offered to US firms for six AP1000 reactors, still unrealised
What Else Should You Remember?
- VVER: Vodo-Vodyanoi Energetichesky Reaktor, the Russian name for a pressurised water reactor
- PWR versus PHWR: Kudankulam units use ordinary water as moderator and need enriched uranium, supplied by Russia, while PHWRs use heavy water and natural uranium
- Kudankulam capacity: the plant when complete will be India’s largest at 6,000 MW
- Spent fuel: under the agreement, the spent fuel from Kudankulam is stored in India and Russia, and was a subject of dispute about waste storage facilities
- Core catcher: Kudankulam units have a passive safety feature called a core catcher to hold molten core material in a severe accident
- EPR: European Pressurised Reactor, a third generation design from Areva with high safety features, which proved costly at plants in Finland, France and the United Kingdom
- Fukushima effect: after 2011 India reviewed seismic and flood safety of all plants, including Kudankulam, as in Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and Safety Standards in Nuclear Plants
- Foreign cooperation: Russia, France, the United States and Canada have worked with India on reactors, as in Nuclear Power Policy of India: Advantages and Disadvantages
- Liability: Russian units at Kudankulam were exempt from the 2010 Act’s supplier liability clause as the agreement predated it, according to the Government
- Capacity: India’s total installed nuclear capacity is about 8 GW and targets about 100 GW by 2047
- Under construction: besides Kudankulam, units at Kakrapar, Rawatbhata, Gorakhpur and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam
- Check: unit statuses change, so verify the latest commissioning dates
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Kudankulam: location, reactor type, Russia
- Jaitapur: French partner and capacity
- Firsts: Tarapur 1969
- Current affairs link: commissioning of new units
- Common errors: placing Jaitapur in Gujarat or Kudankulam in Kerala
As an analytical point, foreign-supplied large reactors help India expand quickly, but projects have been affected by cost, liability and local opposition. Indigenous 700 MWe reactors and a fleet approach reduce these risks.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Kudankulam Russian VVER
- Jaitapur French EPR
- Others Tarapur, Kakrapar
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Department of Atomic Energy and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Next topic: Department of Atomic Energy and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Key People and Terms
- VVER Russian pressurised water reactor
- EPR European Pressurised Reactor
- PHWR Pressurised heavy water reactor
- Core catcher Passive molten core trap
- NPCIL Plant operator
- MWe Megawatt electric
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Kudankulam: Tamil Nadu, 6 VVER-1000 units.
- Unit 1 grid: October 2013.
- Jaitapur: Maharashtra, French EPR.
- Tarapur: first plant, 1969.
- Kakrapar 3: first 700 MWe, 2021.
Do Not Confuse With
- Kudankulam and Jaitapur Russian operating plant versus French planned plant
- VVER and PHWR Light water enriched fuel versus heavy water natural fuel
- Tarapur and Kalpakkam Old BWR site versus fast reactor site
Memory Hook
Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu is Russian, six VVERs strong; Jaitapur in Konkan awaits the French EPR.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for location, partner and reactor type. These points help.
- Projects Foreign partners
- Issues Liability and protest
- Way Indigenous fleet
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the status of the Kudankulam and Jaitapur projects and the issues that affect large nuclear projects with foreign partners in India.”
How to Answer
- Projects Facts.
- Issues Protest, liability, cost.
- Other plants Tarapur, Kakrapar.
- Way Fleet mode.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant?
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu on the coast of the Gulf of Mannar. It is being built with Russia and will have six VVER-1000 pressurised water reactors of 1,000 megawatts each. Units 1 and 2 are operating, and the other four are under construction.
What is the Jaitapur nuclear project?
The Jaitapur project is a planned nuclear power plant in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, intended to have six European Pressurised Reactors of about 1,650 megawatts each from the French company Areva, now EDF. It would be among the largest in the world, but has been delayed by issues of cost, liability and local protests.
Which was India's first nuclear power plant?
The Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Maharashtra was India's first nuclear power plant. Its two boiling water reactors of 160 megawatts, supplied by the United States, started operation in 1969. Two larger 540 megawatt pressurised heavy water reactors built by India were added later.
What is a VVER reactor?
VVER is the Russian name for a pressurised water reactor, which uses ordinary water as both coolant and moderator and low enriched uranium fuel. The Kudankulam plant uses the VVER-1000 model, which has features such as a double containment and a passive core catcher to improve safety.
What is the significance of the 700 MWe reactors?
The 700 megawatt pressurised heavy water reactors are India's largest indigenous reactor design. The first, Kakrapar Unit 3, was commissioned in 2021. The Government has approved building a fleet of such reactors in several sites, to reduce cost and delay by repeating one standard design.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tamil Nadu.
In Tirunelveli district.
2 Jaitapur is a planned plant in Gujarat.
It is in Maharashtra.
3 Kudankulam uses VVER-1000 reactors built with Russia.
Six units planned.
4 Tarapur was commissioned in 1969 as India's first nuclear power station.
With two BWRs.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Nuclear Technology and Energy. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
Related Topics
Browse the full Science & Technology index