Prime Minister Modi calls it a milestone, hails scientists and engineers
In a major development, India's first indigenously developed nuclear power plant unit, which is located in Gujarat,  has started operations at full capacity.

The 700 MWe Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Unit-3 (KAPP-3) is an addition to the existing nuclear power plant, which already had two operational units, each with a capacity of about 220 MWe (megawatts electrical). 

This first-of-a-kind Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) unit, designed by Indian scientists and engineers, has advanced safety features which are comparable to the best in the world, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said in a note on its website. The unit had commenced commercial operations in June 2023. Its twin unit, KAPP-4, is at an advanced stage of commissioning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the development as a milestone and congratulated the scientists and engineers associated with the project.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday (August 31, 2023), Prime Minister Modi wrote, “India achieves another milestone.The first largest indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in Gujarat starts operations at full capacity. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers.”

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) shared more information through a series of posts on X.

"India shines brighter on the global stage as the largest indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Unit-3 (KAPP-3) in Gujarat starts operating at its full capacity. 1/5
@PMOIndia @DrJitendraSingh @iaeaorg," DAE wrote.

According to the DAE, KAPP-3 is the frontrunner in a series of 16 indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors that are at various stages of implementation. With design, construction, commissioning, and operation by Indian engineers and scientists, and equipment and execution by Indian industry, KAPP-3 is a shining example of AtmaNirbhar Bharat, the DAE added.

"This groundbreaking feat not only augments India’s energy infrastructure but also reaffirms our commitment to a greener and more sustainable future. KAPP-3 is a step towards tripling the nuclear power capacity from the current 7,480 MWe to over 22,480 MWe by 2031-32," the DAE wrote on X

NPCIL currently operates 23 reactors that have cumulatively generated over 800 billion units of clean electricity, saving 700 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions while also establishing Nuclear Power as an important means to achieving Net Zero by 2070.