North India’s first Nuclear Plant is currently under construction in the town of Gorakhpur, located approximately 150 km north of the national capital of New Delhi in the state of Haryana. This marks a significant development in India’s nuclear energy sector as until now, such plants were mainly located in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh or in the west in Maharashtra.
The Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) will have two units of 700 MWe capacity each of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) indigenous design. The project is under implementation near Gorakhpur village in Fatehabad district, and to date, an amount of ₹4,906 Cr has been spent out of the total allocated funds of ₹20,594 Cr. The total financial progress of the project is 23.8% as of the latest report.
The Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, has given permission for forming joint ventures with PSUs for resources to open up atomic energy plants, which is an upcoming and promising sector that has the potential to fulfill India’s energy needs in times to come. The bulk approval of the installation of 10 nuclear reactors has also been given a nod by the Modi Government, in line with the priority to increase India’s nuclear capacity.
Construction of the plant’s main buildings and structures such as Fire Water Pump House, Safety Related Pump House, Fuel Oil storage area, Ventilation stack, overhead tank, Switchyard Control Building, Safety-related, and Non-safety-related Tunnel & Trenches, Retaining walls, and Garland Drain is progressing well. Ground improvement in Turbine Building-1 & 2, 220 kV Switchyard, and IDCT-1A is completed, while ground improvement in other areas such as IDCTs, 400 kV Switchyard, Emergency makeup water pond, and station roads is still in progress.
The contractors for the IDCT package and Turbine Island Package have mobilized the site, and purchase orders for major long manufacturing cycle equipment/components such as Primary Coolant Pumps, Calandria, Reactor Headers, Refueling Machines Heads, Moderator, and other D20 Heat Exchangers, etc. are already in place. End Shields and all Steam Generators for the first unit have been received at the site, and manufacturing of other equipment is in various stages, with delivery expected well in time to meet the construction schedule.
The construction of the Water Duct from Tohana to GHAVP for meeting operational cooling water requirements has been taken up through Haryana Irrigation & Water Resources Department as deposit work and progressing well.
The establishment of the GHAVP is a significant milestone for the Indian nuclear energy sector, and it is expected to play a crucial role in fulfilling India’s energy needs in the future. The project is progressing well, and the government’s continued support in the sector is likely to lead to the establishment of more such plants in the country.
