The 220 MW Unit-1 of Kaiga Generating Systems (KGS-1) on Monday set a new record of continuous operation of 766 days, surpassing the earlier record of 765 days set by the Unit-5 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-5) in 2014.
With this achievement, KGS-1 stands second in the world among the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors ( PHWRs) and fourth among all nuclear power reactors in terms of continuous operation. The unit KGS-1 has been in operation since May 13, 2016.
The 220 mw KGS-1 is an indigenous PHWR fuelled by domestic fuel. Ever since it began commercial operation on November 16, 2000, the KGS-I has generated about 2576 crore units of electricity. The power generated by it during the seven and a half years included 402 crore units of electricity produced since May 13, 2016.
“Indian nuclear power plants have demonstrated continuous operations for long periods exceeding a year 27 times so far,” a Nuclear Power Corporation of India limited (NPCIl) spokesperson said.
Five NPCIl reactors, including KGS-1, have been operating for longer periods. Four other reactors fall in the category are RAPS (659 days), KGS-2 (464 days), KGS-3 (467 days) and MAPS (357) days. “The long continuous operation of Indian nuclear power reactors testifies sound design, safety and operation & maintenance practices of NPCIl,” the spokesperson said.
Currently, NPCIl has 22 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 6780 MW in operation and eight reactors with a capacity of 6,200 MW are under construction. “Work has been initiated on 12 reactors with total capacity of 9,000 MW—for which administrative approval and financial sanction have been accorded by the Government,” the spokesman added.