Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has successfully dispatched the fourth steam generator for units 5 and 6 at the Kaiga nuclear power plant in Karnataka. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing construction of the plant.
The steam generator, measuring 24 meters in length, with a diameter of 4 meters and weighing over 200 tonnes, was shipped from L&T’s A M Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira, Gujarat. This completes the delivery of the first set of four steam generators for the plant’s indigenous 10×700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Fleet Programme.
Steam generators play a crucial role in nuclear power plants by transferring heat from the reactor core to water, converting it into steam. In PHWRs, high-pressure coolant circulates through the reactor core and the steam generators, ensuring the heat exchange process is efficient.
The first three steam generators for Kaiga units 5 and 6 were delivered between August 2024 and February 2025. The fourth generator was dispatched nine months ahead of schedule, with the entire set of four units delivered within 45 months. Notably, the first steam generator was delivered in just 33 months, setting a new global benchmark for the industry.
Anil V Parab, Director and Senior Executive Vice President at L&T’s Heavy Engineering and L&T Valves, highlighted the company’s commitment to excellence. “Our highly skilled nuclear team continues to set industry standards, ensuring quality execution and timely deliveries,” he said. Parab also emphasized that the project aligns with India’s vision of achieving a 100 GWe nuclear power generation capacity by 2047.
Kaiga units 5 and 6 will be the first of ten 700 MWe PHWR units in India, built using a fleet construction model to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Excavation work for the two units began in May 2022.
Two 700 MWe PHWR units have already been completed at Kakrapar in Gujarat and are now in operation. Additionally, Rajasthan unit 7 was connected to the grid last month and is expected to begin commercial operations later this year.
