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IPHWR-700

India's 700 MWe PHWR, derived from the CANDU, with which India is building the world's largest heavy-water fleet.

India received CANDU technology at Rajasthan 1 in the 1960s and developed it alone after the 1974 embargo: first the IPHWR-220, then the IPHWR-540 and the IPHWR-700. The current 700 MWe design adds double containment and a passive decay heat removal system.

Kakrapar 3 and 4 have operated since 2023 and 2024; Rajasthan 7 and 8 started up in 2025 and 2026, and ten more are under construction or approved at Gorakhpur, Kaiga and Mahi Banswara. It is the backbone of the Indian nuclear program.

Quick facts

Power700 MWe gross
Fuelnatural uranium
FleetIPHWR-220, 540 and 700
Under construction 2026Gorakhpur 1-4, Kaiga 5-6, Mahi Banswara 1-4