📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Balaji, Sumit5y, Vinitahada, Ritukejai and Nvvchar
Science
Rajasthan's 700 MW Nuclear Reactor Starts Initial Fuel Loading, Moves to Commissioning Phase
✍️ businesstoday.in
🗓 20 Sep 2026, 11:31 PM
👁 11
India’s 700‑MW nuclear unit at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, has begun loading its first fuel assemblies, marking a key step towards commercial operation.
The 700‑megawatt nuclear reactor at the Rawatbhata plant in Rajasthan has commenced its initial fuel loading, a critical milestone in the plant’s commissioning schedule. Technicians installed the first batch of fuel assemblies under the supervision of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
This phase signals the transition from construction to operational testing, bringing the reactor closer to generating electricity for the national grid. Once fully commissioned, the unit is expected to add a substantial amount of clean, base‑load power, supporting India’s renewable energy targets.
NPCIL officials confirmed that safety checks and system validations will continue throughout the loading process. The agency aims to achieve commercial operation within the next 12‑18 months, subject to regulatory approvals.
The development aligns with the government’s broader strategy to expand nuclear capacity as part of its energy security plan, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and meeting growing demand across the country.
This phase signals the transition from construction to operational testing, bringing the reactor closer to generating electricity for the national grid. Once fully commissioned, the unit is expected to add a substantial amount of clean, base‑load power, supporting India’s renewable energy targets.
NPCIL officials confirmed that safety checks and system validations will continue throughout the loading process. The agency aims to achieve commercial operation within the next 12‑18 months, subject to regulatory approvals.
The development aligns with the government’s broader strategy to expand nuclear capacity as part of its energy security plan, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and meeting growing demand across the country.