Pre-Project Geotechnical Investigation Launched for Units 5 and 6 of Kakrapar Nuclear Power Station in India

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) announced that geotechnical investigations have officially commenced at the site of Units 5 and 6 of the Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant in Gujarat, marking a key early-stage development milestone for these two indigenously designed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) projects. Meanwhile, the Nuclear Fuels Complex is manufacturing steam generator tubes to support the fleet construction programme, and India's indigenous Small Modular Reactor programme has also reached an important design milestone.

The on-site investigation work covers borehole drilling, geophysical surveys and laboratory testing to assess the soil and rock formation conditions at the proposed site, establishing a detailed technical baseline for subsequent civil, structural and foundation engineering. NPCIL stated that the investigation results will provide critical engineering data for the design and construction of project structures, serving as a core basis for assessing foundation engineering requirements and ensuring structural stability, safety and long-term operational reliability of the plant.

The Kakrapar nuclear power site currently hosts four operating nuclear units. Units 1 and 2 are 202 MWe PHWRs, which were connected to the grid in 1992 and 1995 respectively; Units 3 and 4 are India's first indigenously designed 700 MWe PHWRs to enter commercial operation, with Kakrapar Unit 3 achieving criticality in July 2020 and grid connection in January 2021, and Unit 4 completing grid connection in February 2024.

The Government of India approved in 2017 the construction of 10 PHWRs of this type in "Fleet Mode," and subsequently added more nuclear units in national energy planning. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State of India, confirmed to the Lok Sabha (House of the People) that 5 units are currently under construction or commissioning (including the two Gorakhpur units that have not yet completed first concrete pouring for the reactor building but have been officially listed as under construction), another 8 units are in the pre-project preparation stage, and 4 units, including Kakrapar Units 5 and 6, are in the planning and proposed stage.