Kaiga Nuclear Plant's Units 5 and 6 Reach Significant Progress with First End Shield Component Successfully Installed
Summary
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has marked a significant construction milestone at Kaiga Units 5 and 6 with the successful unloading of the first End Shield, a massive 107-ton reactor component manufactured domestically by Larsen & Toubro at Hazira. This critical component, measuring approximately 9.3 metres in height and width, serves as structural support for coolant channel assemblies, enables on-power refuelling, and forms part of the Calandria Vault enclosure in India's indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor design. The complex unloading operation required coordinated use of a 500-ton crane, a 70-ton crane, and a 10-ton chain pulley block, demonstrating exceptional engineering precision by NPCIL and its partners. This milestone follows the First Pour of Concrete on 1 March 2026 and is being executed by the MEIL Group under the Make in India initiative, signifying the transition from civil construction to critical nuclear engineering work. When fully commissioned, these reactors will contribute meaningfully to India's goal of expanding low-carbon, reliable electricity generation while reinforcing indigenous nuclear capability.
Key Takeaways
- 1. India's successful domestic manufacturing and handling of the 107-ton End Shield demonstrates growing self-reliance in advanced nuclear engineering, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical reactor components
- 2. The 700 MWe PHWR technology represents the backbone of India's indigenous nuclear program, and Kaiga Units 5 and 6 will further consolidate national expertise in this proven reactor design
- 3. The project's execution under the Make in India initiative signals India's strategic intent to develop a fully domestic nuclear industrial supply chain, strengthening long-term energy and technological sovereignty
- 4. Kaiga Units 5 and 6 form part of India's broader nuclear expansion strategy aimed at scaling up low-carbon electricity generation, directly supporting national energy security and climate commitments
- 5. The involvement of major Indian industrial players like Larsen & Toubro and MEIL Group highlights the deepening integration of India's private sector into the country's strategic nuclear infrastructure development