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Tarapur Units 1 and 2 Refurbished and Back Online: World's Oldest Commercial Nuclear Reactors
Tarapur Atomic Power Station Units 1 and 2 have been refurbished and returned to full operation, with Unit 1 already online at about 160 MW and Unit 2 expected to restart soon. The project, described as open-heart surgery for ageing reactors, cost around Rs 400 crore and included post-Fukushima safety upgrades, while retaining an analogue control room.
Why It Matters
The restoration of the world’s oldest commercially operating nuclear reactors demonstrates a large-scale, in-house refurbishing approach that preserves base-load nuclear capability, contributing to India’s energy security and carbon-free electricity goals.
Timeline
14 Events
Plans for Bharat Small Modular Reactors at Tarapur
April 28, 2026
Tarapur is slated to host Bharat Small Modular Reactors as part of its ongoing nuclear roadmap.
Cost and in-house capabilities highlighted
April 28, 2026
Refurbishment totaled around Rs 400 crore and was largely conducted in-house to keep costs low and radiation exposure down.
Safety culture emphasized
April 28, 2026
NPCIL leadership stressed safety culture as essential; Pathak said, 'Once you are into nuclear, you are into nuclear forever.'
Nuclear roadmap: PFBR at Kalpakkam and Tarapur expansion
April 28, 2026
Pathak highlighted Kalpakkam's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) as a future milestone and Tarapur's role in the roadmap, including plans for Bharat Small Modular Reactors.
Fuel supply stable and spent fuel managed
April 28, 2026
NPCIL states fuel supply is stable and spent fuel storage is fully managed with no current concerns.
Analogue control room retained
April 28, 2026
Tarapur retains its original analogue control room with dials and gauges; no digital interfaces in use.
Post-Fukushima safety upgrades
April 28, 2026
Containment filtered venting system and other safety measures developed after Fukushima were incorporated.
Pipelines replaced
April 28, 2026
All 24-inch stainless steel pipelines were replaced during refurbishment.
Four-year in-house refurbishment
April 28, 2026
Engineers carried out four years of refurbishment largely in-house to revive the ageing plant.
Refurbishment completed: two reactors back online
April 28, 2026
Both Tarapur reactors were refurbished and are back in full commercial operation; Unit 1 already resumed, Unit 2 to follow.
Tarapur Unit 2 restart expected
April 28, 2026
Tarapur Unit 2 is expected to restart soon after refurbishment.
Tarapur Unit 1 back to full capacity
April 28, 2026
Tarapur Unit 1 was operating at full capacity (around 160 MW) during the NDTV visit.
Indigenisation drive after 1974 nuclear test
1974
After the 1974 nuclear test, India pursued self-reliance in its nuclear program; NPCIL notes components were indigenised.
Tarapur Units 1 and 2 commissioned
1969
Tarapur Atomic Power Station Units 1 and 2 were commissioned in 1969.