World’s oldest operating nuclear units reconnects to India’s grid: Report

New Delhi, June 20 : First two units at India’s oldest nuclear power plant, Tarapur Atomic Power Station— world’s oldest operating nuclear units­ — have been reconnected to the grid following extensive modernisation and refurbishment, a new report has said, citing Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

The report from World Nuclear News said Tarapur units 1 and 2, boiling water reactor (BWR) units commissioned in 1969, were downrated from 200 MWe to 160 MWe (gross) and had been offline since 2020 for major refurbishment work. NPCIL called the restart of both units as “a major milestone in India’s nuclear power program,” adding that the achievement reaffirms the enduring legacy of India’s first nuclear power station and reflects the dedication and technical expertise of Team NPCIL. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approved the operational resumption of unit 2 on May 7 after NPCIL completed refurbishment activities. The refurbishment included the complete replacement of reactor coolant recirculation piping with forged piping and fittings made of advanced corrosion-resistant stainless steel,” the regulator said.

Further, the safety upgrades including the commissioning of the reactor containment filtered venting system and the alternate cooling water system were also completed as part of works. India’s Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, was hailed as a structural step toward strengthening the country’s nuclear power ecosystem, and is expected to improve project execution.

The nuclear expansion is still expected to remain gradual and to increase to around 22 Giga Watt (GW) by FY2032, considering projects under implementation and planning, a recent report said. SHANTI Bill 2025 replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, with a unified legal framework governing development, safety, security, safeguards, and nuclear liability.