Address: P.O. Anushakti
Via-Kota, Rajasthan-323 303
Telephone: 91-1475-242001, 91-1475-242101
Fax: 91-1475-242030, 91-1475-242190
EMail: info@npcilraps.com
Site Director: Subhash Mittal
Subordinate to: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Size: Four pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs), one 100MWe, one 200MWe, and two 220MWe
Primary Function: Provide energy generation for the civilian sector

Description and Activities:
Located at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan, the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) was the first facility in India to operate pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). RAPS' Unit-1 was built as a 220MWe CANDU PHWR and constructed with Canadian assistance. Although Unit-1 began commercial operations on 16 December 1973, the construction of Unit-2 was delayed when the Canadians withdrew their assistance after the nuclear test at Pokharan in 1974. However, Unit-2 eventually commenced operations in April 1981 as a 220MWe capable PHWR. In 2000, two additional PHWRs began commercial operations at RAPS. The new facilities, Unit-3 and Unit-4, were developed indigenously and generated energy at a 220MWe capacity. Although Unit-1 has experienced numerous problems over the years due to leaks, cracks in the end-shield, and turbine blade failures, the 29-year-old reactor appears to be running at a 100MWe capacity after recent repairs. Unit-2 just underwent a seven-month all inclusive coolant channel replacement and is reportedly operating at 200MWe. The Unit-1 and Unit-2 PHWRs at RAPS fall under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

As of 28 February 2003, RAPS' accumulative generation since it began commercial operations was 41,159 million units (MUs). Unit-1 accounted for 11,445 MUs, Unit-2 for 21,940 MUs, Unit-3 for 4,224 MUs, and Unit-4 for 3,550 MUs. Four additional PHWRs are currently in the pipeline at RAPS. According the Department of Atomic Energy of India, Unit-5 and Unit-6 will have a 220MWe capacity and be ready for operations in 2007. Unit-7 and Unit-8 are reported to be 500MWe PHWRs and may be ready by 2011-2012.

Key Sources:
"Annual Report 2001, Table III: Facilities Under Agency Safeguards or Containing Safeguarded Material on 31 December 2001," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), <http://www.iaea.org/worldatom/Documents/Anrep/Anrep2001/table_3.pdf>; Arunkumar Bhatt, "Atomic power station to be decommissioned," The Hindu (Chennai), 19 February 2002, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>; DAE (Government of India), "Annual Report 2000-2001," <http://www.dae.gov.in/ar2001/contents.htm>; DAE (Government of India), "Annual Report 2001-2002," Executive Summary, <http://www.dae.gov.in/ar2002/ar2002.htm>; "India: Nuclear Infrastructure," Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1998, <http://www.ceip.org/programs/npp/nppindct.htm>; "Rajasthan Atomic Power Station," Department of Atomic Energy (Government of India), <http://www.dae.gov.in/raps.htm>; "Rajasthan Atomic Power Station," Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, <http://www.npcilraps.com/web/management.htm>; "Rajasthan Atomic Power Station," Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, <http://www.npcilraps.com/>; Rajasthan Atomic Power Station: The Pride of the Nation," Public Information Bureau (Government of India), <http://pib.nic.in/>; "Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS)," Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, <http://www.npcil.org/docs/raps.htm>.

	Updated September 2003