AERB approves restart, continued operation of NPCIL's TAPS Unit 2 after extensive refurbishment work

New Delhi: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) on Monday said it has approved the restart and continued operation of Unit 2 at Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) in Maharashtra's Palghar district after successful completion of extensive refurbishment work.

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In a release, it said the approval, granted on May 7, follows a major overhaul undertaken by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to ensure the long-term safety and efficiency of the reactor.

Located at Tarapur near Boisar here, TAPS holds the distinction of being Asia's first commercial nuclear power plant. Its Units 1 and 2, which are India's first nuclear power reactors based on the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) design, have been in commercial operation since 1969.

"The refurbishment involved the complete replacement of reactor coolant recirculation piping with advanced, corrosion-resistant forged stainless steel piping and fittings. Key safety upgrades included the commissioning of a Reactor Containment Filtered Venting System (CFVS) and an Alternate Cooling Water System (ACWS)," the release said.

During the planned outage, engineers conducted rigorous inspections of critical components, including reactor pressure vessel welds, to assess aging and residual life, it said.

These evaluations confirmed that the reactor remains fit for safe operation under normal maintenance and surveillance programmes, the release added.

The Board of AERB met on May 6 to review the multi-tiered safety assessments and refurbishment results, following which the Board agreed to permit the restart of the unit and authorized its operation for a further period of 10 years, it said.

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"TAPS Unit 1 underwent a similar refurbishment process recently, with its restart permitted in late December 2025. That unit is currently operating at its rated power of 160 MWe. AERB will continue to maintain regulatory oversight and monitor the safety performance of both units," the release said.

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