Starting in 2023, India is set to launch construction processes for 10 ‘fleet mode’ nuclear reactors with the first pour of concrete (FPC) for a 700 MW atomic power plant in Karnataka’s Kaiga. 

The FPC will start off the pre-project stage, including excavation activities, at the project site.

“The FPC of Kaiga units 5&6 is expected in 2023; FPC of Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Praiyonjan units 3 & 4 and Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Projects units 1 to 4 is expected in 2024; and that of Chutka Madhya Pradesh Atomic Power Project units 1 & 2 in 2025,” officials of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) told the Parliamentary panel on science and technology.

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In June 2017, the Centre had sanctioned the construction of 10 indigenously developed pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWR) of 700 MW. The reactors will be built at an expenditure of Rs.1.05 lakh crore. 

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The approval marks the first time that the government had permitted the construction of 10 nuclear power reactors all at once in an attempt to lower costs and accelerate construction time. 

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According to DAE officials, bulk procurement is in progress for the fleet mode mega-projects, including orders being placed for forgings for SS 304L lattice tubes and plates for end shields, steam generators, bleed condensers, pressurizer, incoloy-800 tubes for 40 steam generators and reactor headers. 

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From the first pour of concrete, a nuclear power plant is expected to be constructed over the span of five years under the fleet mode. 

At present, India has 22 operators with a total capacity of 6780 MW in operation.