RAPP 5&6 comprises of two Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) of 220MW each. RAPP-5 had achieved synchronization to the grid for the first time on December 22, 2009.
RAPP- 6, the second unit, a nuclear power reactor, has now joined the fleet of 18 nuclear power reactors in operation. The power will be shared by the beneficiaries of Northern Electricity region.
These reactors have been designed and built by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a public sector undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
PHWRs use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water both as moderator and coolant. The company said that the project completion has been the combination of a dedicated team, modern methods for design and construction, adoption of higher levels of mechanization and automation, improved planning and monitoring and pro-active management.
RAPP-5&6 reactors were placed under IAEA safe guards earlier in the year and have been fuelled with the imported fuel.
Four 700MW PHWRs, including two at Rawatbhata site, have been approved by government and the construction is being taken up. These are slated for completion with a gestation period (first pour of concrete to criticality) of 60 months.
The total nuclear power capacity is planned to be increased to 7280MW by completion of projects under construction in Karnataka and Tamilnadu. The long term plans are to take the capacity close to 60,000MW through diverse reactors technologies and designs, NPCIL said.
