Press Release:Press Information Bureau
Department of Atomic Energy
AERB approves First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for construction of units-5 & 6 of Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant
Posted On:
01 MAR 2026 3:35PM by PIB Mumbai
:Mumbai , 1st March 2026
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) issued permission for First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for construction of units – 5&6 of Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant, on February 24, 2026.
The permission was issued after satisfactory completion of safety review of the design of 2x700MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units being established at the Kaiga nuclear power plant site, against the safety requirements specified by AERB. The reviews by AERB followed the well-established multi-tier review process of AERB. The Board of AERB on February 23, 2026 after reviewing the outcome of safety reviews approved the FPC for these units.
Regarding the permission for FPC issued on February 24, 2026, Shri A K Balasubrahmanian, Chairman of AERB stated that, “AERB’s permission for Kaiga -5&6 follows an extensive review to ensure compliance to safety and regulatory requirements and paves the path for construction of nuclear power plant based on approved design, safety analysis and following the requisite quality assurance requirements”.
The 700MWe PHWRs are of indigenous design, developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL). The design incorporates many advanced safety features in-line with the requirements specified by AERB, which take account of the current IAEA safety standards.
The 700 MWe PHWRs at Kaiga -5&6 are of similar design as the units -3&4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat state, which were earlier Licenced by AERB for regular operation in July 2025. Two more units of 700 MWe PHWRs, RAPP -7&8 are currently undergoing commissioning at the Rawatbhata site in Rajasthan. AERB had earlier permitted operation of RAPP unit 7 up to 100% power, for commissioning, on January 30, 2026.
The Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant site is in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state where four units of 220MWe PHWRs are already operational.
The First pour of Concrete (FPC) for which the permission is issued signifies commencement of construction of the nuclear power plant after excavation of the site.
***
Edgar Coelho/Parshuram Kor
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(Release ID: 2234175)
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Department of Atomic Energy
AERB approves First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for construction of units-5 & 6 of Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant
Posted On:
01 MAR 2026 3:35PM by PIB Mumbai
:Mumbai , 1st March 2026
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) issued permission for First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for construction of units – 5&6 of Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant, on February 24, 2026.
The permission was issued after satisfactory completion of safety review of the design of 2x700MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units being established at the Kaiga nuclear power plant site, against the safety requirements specified by AERB. The reviews by AERB followed the well-established multi-tier review process of AERB. The Board of AERB on February 23, 2026 after reviewing the outcome of safety reviews approved the FPC for these units.
Regarding the permission for FPC issued on February 24, 2026, Shri A K Balasubrahmanian, Chairman of AERB stated that, “AERB’s permission for Kaiga -5&6 follows an extensive review to ensure compliance to safety and regulatory requirements and paves the path for construction of nuclear power plant based on approved design, safety analysis and following the requisite quality assurance requirements”.
The 700MWe PHWRs are of indigenous design, developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL). The design incorporates many advanced safety features in-line with the requirements specified by AERB, which take account of the current IAEA safety standards.
The 700 MWe PHWRs at Kaiga -5&6 are of similar design as the units -3&4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat state, which were earlier Licenced by AERB for regular operation in July 2025. Two more units of 700 MWe PHWRs, RAPP -7&8 are currently undergoing commissioning at the Rawatbhata site in Rajasthan. AERB had earlier permitted operation of RAPP unit 7 up to 100% power, for commissioning, on January 30, 2026.
The Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant site is in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state where four units of 220MWe PHWRs are already operational.
The First pour of Concrete (FPC) for which the permission is issued signifies commencement of construction of the nuclear power plant after excavation of the site.
***
Edgar Coelho/Parshuram Kor
Follow us on social media:
@PIBMumbai
/
PIBMumbai
/pibmumbai
pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com
/PIBMumbai
/pibmumbai
(Release ID: 2234175)
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