Kakrapar-3 achieves initial criticality

Details: The Kakrapar plant, located in the Indian state of Gujarat, houses four reactors: Units 1 and 2, 202-MWe four-loop pressurized heavy-water reactors that have been in commercial operation since the 1990s, and Units 3 and 4, twin 630-MWe Indian-designed PHWR-700 reactors that are slated for startup this year and next, respectively. The July milestone is particularly significant, given that Unit 3 will be the first PHWR-700 to produce electricity.

PHWR-700 reactors are also scheduled for commercial operation later this decade at India’s Rajasthan and Gorakhpur plants.

What they’re saying: “Congratulations to our nuclear scientists for achieving criticality of Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3!” tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “This indigenously designed . . . reactor is a shining example of Make in India. And a trailblazer for many such future achievements!”

(The Make in India initiative, launched by the prime minister in 2014, was devised to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub, according to its website.)