India’s Oldest Nuclear Power Units Get New Lease of Life as AERB Clears Restart of Tarapur Unit-2
Mumbai: In a major development for India’s nuclear energy sector, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has approved the restart and continued operation of Unit-2 of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station after the successful completion of an extensive refurbishment programme undertaken by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.
The approval, granted on May 7, 2026, allows the unit to operate for an additional 10 years following a comprehensive safety review and modernization exercise.
Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) Units 1 and 2 hold a historic place in India’s energy journey as the country’s first nuclear power reactors based on the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) design. Commissioned in 1969, the two units are also regarded as Asia’s first commercial nuclear power plant units.
The recent refurbishment of Unit-2 focused heavily on strengthening operational safety and extending the reac.
India’s Oldest Nuclear Power Units Get New Lease of Life as AERB Clears Restart of Tarapur Unit-2
tor’s service life. One of the key upgrades included the complete replacement of reactor coolant recirculation piping using advanced corrosion-resistant stainless steel forged piping and fittings.
Additional safety enhancements included the commissioning of advanced systems such as the Reactor Containment Filtered Venting System (CFVS) and the Alternate Cooling Water System (ACWS), both aimed at improving reactor safety under emergency conditions.
During the shutdown period, experts also carried out detailed inspections of critical reactor components, including reactor pressure vessel welds, to assess ageing and determine the residual operational life of the unit. According to the evaluations reviewed by the regulator, the reactor remains fit for continued safe operation under standard maintenance and surveillance protocols.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board conducted a multi-layered safety assessment before granting approval. The AERB Board, during its meeting on May 6, 2026, reviewed the refurbishment outcomes, safety upgrades, inspection findings, and technical assessments before authorizing the restart and extended operation of the reactor.
AERB stated that it will continue close regulatory oversight and monitor the safety performance of both TAPS Units 1 and 2.
Earlier, TAPS Unit-1 had undergone a similar refurbishment process and was permitted to restart at the end of December 2025. The unit is currently operating at its rated capacity of 160 MWe.
Located near Boisar in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, the Tarapur Atomic Power Station remains one of India’s most significant nuclear energy facilities and continues to play a vital role in the nation’s clean energy generation programme.
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