Excavation for two 700 MW indigenous nuclear power plants in Kaiga begins

New Delhi: Excavation work for two 700 MW indigenously developed nuclear power plants in Karnataka’s Kaiga began on Thursday, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said.

The ground-breaking ceremony was held in the presence of NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director Bhuwan Chandra Pathak at the Kaiga Generating Station in Karwar district of Karnataka.

“Kaiga 5&6 reactors are the first set of 10 indigenous 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors sanctioned by the government to be set up in fleet mode,” the NPCIL said in a statement.

The components and equipment for the reactors are supplied by domestic industries and the work is being executed by Indian contractors, it said.

The present installed capacity of the Kaiga site is 880 MW with four units of 220 MW each. With the completion of Kaiga 5&6, the capacity of the Kaiga site will increase to 2,280 MW.

Earlier, the NPCIL, which is building the two plants, had completed the bifurcation fencing separating units 5&6 from the existing four units of 220 MW each. Vehicle radiation monitoring system and access control systems were operational at the site, the NPCIL had informed the nuclear regulator