Karnataka: NPCIL begins work on Kaiga units 5 & 6

New Delhi: State-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) on Thursday started construction of units 5 and 6 with 700 MW reactors at Kaiga in Karnataka.

The gestation period of a nuclear power project is calculated from the 'first pour of concrete'.

The first of the two units is expected to attain criticality, which is a major commissioning milestone for a new nuclear power plant, in around 60 months, a statement from the company said.


Kaiga units 5 and 6 will be 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs), part of India's standardised fleet mode programme aimed at accelerating nuclear capacity addition.

NPCIL said the reactors come with advanced safety features and are among the most robust in their class globally. The Kaiga expansion follows the commissioning of similar 700 MW PHWRs at Kakrapar in Gujarat.

NPCIL is implementing Kaiga 5and 6 through a limited number of large engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) packages covering excavation, the nuclear island, turbine island and nuclear instrumentation. The approach is aimed at reducing interface risks and reducing project timelines.

The project will draw extensively on domestic manufacturing capabilities, with equipment and components sourced from Indian industry partners and construction handled by local contractors.