The second twin unit of 700 MWe series has started construction work at Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPS) at Rawatbhata Site. r. The First Pour of Concrete (FPC) of RAPP-7&8 has commenced on 17th of July this year, which is inauguration of this important milestone in the construction of nuclear power project (NPP) signifying the start of the construction i.e. zero date. The first such twin units were construced at Kakarapar on 11th December, 2010.
These units are scheduled to be completed in the year 2016-17. 50% of the power of these units i.e. 700 MWe has been earmarked for the Rajasthan state itself i.e. home state & balance to the Northern Grid. With the commencement of work for these two Units of 700 MWe each, the total capacity at RAP would become 2480 MWe. It is becoming virtually a Nuclear Park as a 500 Ton Nuclear fuel Fabrication Facility is being set up here by Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) & Heavy Water Plant, Kota (HWPK) is already functioning here. An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed with NFC.
Presently more than 1100 MWe is being generated from the five units. RAPS-5&6 were commissioned and made commercial by March, 2010. In RAPS#2, feeders have been replaced and up gradation of the various systems carried out to bring this unit at par with the latest PHWRs & RAPS-3&4 were brought under IAEA safe guard and loaded with new fuel thereby enabling them to be run at full capacity.
RAPS–5&6 were commissioned and commercialized in the shortest span of two months by optimizing human resources. RAPS#5 in the first year itself has achieved an annual C.F. of 93.13% and A.F. 87% . It generated a record output of 175.313 MUs in the month of March, 2011 which was the highest generation among the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) units & RAPS-5&6 together also gave highest output generation of 350.105 MUs in the March, 2011 itself.
RAPS-3&4 have done very well. During Financial Year 2010-11, the C. Fs of RAPS#3 & RAPS#4 have been 86.91% and 99.22% respectively. RAPS#3 generated 1564 MUs & RAPS#4 1806 MUs. RAPS#3 operated continuously for 404 days from 26.6.2009 till planned BSD was taken on 05.08.2010. RAPS-3&4 station has been awarded the excellent performing station of NPCIL for five times in last six years.
RAPS-2 is also doing quite well. Presently it is generating 214 MWe including 100 T/hr steam to HWPK against its rated capacity of 200 MWe. After EMFR and Upgradation work, It’s A.F. has been 95.3% & C.F. 97.3%. In the year 2010-2011, the C.F. was 98.17% which is the highest among all units. It generated 1720 MU against the target of 1394 MU. The earlier highest annual generation was 1479.5 MU in the year 1988-89. In the current year, its C.F. & A.F. are 106.7% and 100% respectively so far. On 16th of July this year, it had broken its previous record of continuous running of 184 days. It is really a matter of great pride. Safety has been given top priority & all the more after the Fukushima event.
In the construction of new units, industrial safety aspects are being accorded highest importance. During the huge excavation of 16 lakh Cu. Mtr. of hard rock & other fabrication, installation & PCC work done so far, no untoward incident has taken place.
At Rawtbhata Rajasthan Site as far as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are concerned, a lot has been done for the social welfare of the people in the neighborhood here. Earlier the yearly budget was Rs. 75 lakhs which is being increased to Rs. 1.6 Crores from this year to provide as such many more facilities as possible.
A Hospital has been built at a cost of Rs. 85 Lakhs in the year 2008. Later an ambulance was also provided to bring the patients from the nearby villages. A new building was built for the State Girls Higher Secondary School in the year 2002 & now First Floor has also been added for starting a Science Wing for the Girls. This has been formally handed over to the State Education Department.RAP adopted nearby Tamlav village and the necessary approach road, piped water and electrical lighting along the road were provided. A community centre is in the pipe line.
A Civil Defence Training Tower was built at Rawatbhata for the training of rescuing personnel for evacuation from the high rise buildings during fire etc.A Pipe Line was laid from the hydro works to the Dhuanwa Dhoop village for necessary water supply to them.A Borewell was drilled in Sentab area for water supply to the school and College in that area. Furniture items & PVC Water Tanks were distributed to the nearby schools.
Every year 15 children are taken in the First Standard in Atomic Energy Central Schools under TNP scheme from the poor families in the nearby villages and provide them with a scholarship of Rs 400 per month to the girls & Rs 300 to the boys. They are also provided with books, uniforms etc. as well as medical facilities. Admissions are also provided to the local non-DAE students. This year 125 students have been given admission as compared to 40 in the earlier years.
