India Commissions First Private Heavy Water Upgrade Facility

India has inaugurated its first private sector test facility for upgrading depleted heavy water, a critical process in maintaining the efficiency of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Commissioned by TEMA India Ltd. under technology transfer from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and a purchase order from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), this facility marks a historic collaboration between public and private sectors aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Previously, heavy water distillation component testing was exclusively conducted within BARC, but this new infrastructure allows private players to design, test, and manufacture key equipment, reducing the process duration by up to two years. The facility has already produced and validated a consignment of eight distillation column sections with activated phosphor bronze modules, slated for deployment at major nuclear projects such as RAPP Unit 8, GHAVP Units 1–4, and KAIGA Units 5 & 6. This development strengthens India's domestic nuclear manufacturing capabilities, reduces reliance on imported components and external testing infrastructure, and enhances the country's nuclear energy self-reliance and security. Officials involved hailed the facility as a landmark achievement in India's nuclear energy sector and a significant step toward building a resilient and sovereign nuclear supply chain.