Kakrapar 1 reconnected

Friday, 14 January 2011 Unit 1 of the Kakrapar nuclear power station in India was reconnected to the grid on 12 January - the first time the unit has been operational since it underwent an extensive renovation and modernisation program that began in July 2008. The work, carried out by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited using indigenous technology, included the en-masse replacement of coolant channels and fuel feeders plus safety related core modifications. The reactor is expected to soon reach its nameplate capacity of 202 MWe net and will supply nearby regions with electricity. India has previously refurbished the two Kalpakkam reactors as well as Narora 2. The country also has stated ambitious nuclear new build targets of 63 GWe by 2032 in order to help meet its growing energy needs.