**Executive Summary**
This document announces that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approved the First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for the construction of units 5 & 6 of the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant on February 24, 2026. The AERB approval was issued after a safety review of the design of 2x700MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units to ensure compliance with safety requirements. The Board of AERB approved the FPC for these units on February 23, 2026, after reviewing the outcome of the safety reviews.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **AERB Approval:**
* AERB issued permission for First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for construction of units 5 & 6 of Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant on February 24, 2026.
* The permission signifies the commencement of construction after excavation of the site.
* **Safety Review:**
* Permission was granted after a satisfactory safety review of the 2x700MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units' design.
* The design incorporates advanced safety features in line with AERB and IAEA safety standards.
* The safety review followed AERB's multi-tier review process.
* The design was reviewed against safety requirements specified by AERB.
* **Reactor Information:**
* The 700MWe PHWRs are of indigenous design, developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL).
* The reactors are similar in design to units 3 & 4 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS).
* Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant is located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, where four units of 220MWe PHWRs are already operational.
**Impact Analysis**
**Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL)**
*Impact:* NPCIL is responsible for developing the indigenous design of the 700MWe PHWRs. The AERB approval allows NPCIL to commence construction of units 5 & 6 at the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant.
*Action Required:* Continue construction of the units 5 & 6 of the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant. Ensure compliance with AERB and IAEA safety standards throughout the construction process.
**Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)**
*Impact:* AERB is responsible for ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements in nuclear power plant construction. This approval demonstrates AERB's commitment to a thorough safety review process.
*Action Required:* Oversee and monitor the ongoing construction process to ensure continued compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
**Stakeholders of Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant**
*Impact:* The construction of Kaiga Units 5 & 6 improves the supply of Nuclear Power.
*Action Required:* Maintain safety standards, and follow new plant construction.
Key Entities Referenced
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): The regulator that issued permission for the First Pour of Concrete (FPC).
Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant: The location where units 5 & 6 are being constructed.
First Pour of Concrete (FPC): The event signifying commencement of construction, for which permission was granted.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL): Developer of the 700MWe PHWRs.
700MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR): Type of reactor being established at the Kaiga nuclear power plant.
Department of Atomic Energy
AERB approves First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for
construction of units-5 & 6 of Kaiga Nuclear
Power Plant
Posted On: 01 MAR 2026 3:35PM by PIB Mumbai
:Mumbai , 1st March 2026
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) issued permission for First Pour of
Concrete (FPC) for construction of units – 5&6 of Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant, on
February 24, 2026.
The permission was issued after satisfactory completion of safety review of the
design of 2x700MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units being
established at the Kaiga nuclear power plant site, against the safety requirements
specified by AERB. The reviews by AERB followed the well-established multi-tier
review process of AERB. The Board of AERB on February 23, 2026 after reviewing
the outcome of safety reviews approved the FPC for these units.Regarding the permission for FPC issued on February 24, 2026, Shri A K
Balasubrahmanian, Chairman of AERB stated that, “AERB’s permission for Kaiga
-5&6 follows an extensive review to ensure compliance to safety and regulatory
requirements and paves the path for construction of nuclear power plant based on
approved design, safety analysis and following the requisite quality assurance
requirements”.
The 700MWe PHWRs are of indigenous design, developed by the Nuclear Power
Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL). The design incorporates many advanced safety
features in-line with the requirements specified by AERB, which take account of the
current IAEA safety standards.The 700 MWe PHWRs at Kaiga -5&6 are of similar design as the units -3&4 of
Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat state, which were earlier Licenced
by AERB for regular operation in July 2025. Two more units of 700 MWe PHWRs,
RAPP -7&8 are currently undergoing commissioning at the Rawatbhata site in
Rajasthan. AERB had earlier permitted operation of RAPP unit 7 up to 100% power,
for commissioning, on January 30, 2026.
The Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant site is in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka
state where four units of 220MWe PHWRs are already operational.
The First pour of Concrete (FPC) for which the permission is issued signifies
commencement of construction of the nuclear power plant after excavation of the
site.***
Edgar Coelho/Parshuram Kor
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