Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor is a heavy-water research reactor in Markazi Province, Iran. It functions as a Heavy-water research reactor + heavy-water production. It is operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). In service since 2026.
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id NUC-IR-ARAK.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Capacity and fuel are the upstream open-dataset record, not yet matched to a 2026 registry or GEM entry.
capacity: IAEA / NTI; fuel: IAEA / NTI
Facility overview
The IR-40 reactor at Khondab, near the city of Arak, is a 40 MW(th) heavy-water research reactor, alongside a heavy-water production plant. Heavy-water reactors are a proliferation concern because they can produce plutonium in spent fuel; under the 2015 nuclear deal the original core was to be redesigned to sharply reduce its plutonium output.
The reactor and the adjacent heavy-water plant are recurring subjects in non-proliferation monitoring and in strike-target discussion. It is a research reactor, not a commercial power station — its thermal rating (40 MWth) is for research and isotope work, not grid electricity. The site is under IAEA verification.
In context: how this plant compares
Technically it is described as Heavy-water research reactor + heavy-water production. Its current lifecycle status is “Construction” — so it is not yet, or no longer, generating at full output. This facility converts its energy source into electricity for the grid; its capacity, fuel type and location determine its role in the national power mix.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Iran nuclear capacity
- 88.9% of 45 MW across 5 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 4 of 5 dated nuclear plants in Iran are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest nuclear plants in Iran
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
Climate zone & how it works
This nuclear plant generates electricity for the grid. It sits in a hot-summer Mediterranean continental climate (Köppen Dsa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 34.4°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Climate zone & typical temperatures: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid).
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a mild atmospheric environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C2 — Low), with thermal cycling the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #1 largest nuclear power plant of 5 in Iran by capacity.
Iran has 5 nuclear power plants in this dataset, together about 45 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Malayer power plant · Gas · 500 MW · Hamadan
- Shazand · Oil · 1,300 MW · Markazi
- Borujerd Combined-Cycle power plant · Gas · 200 MW · Lorestan
- Khalij-e Fars · Solar · 7 MW · Hamadan
- Shahid Mofateh · Oil · 1,000 MW · Hamadan
- Salafchegan power plant · Gas · 500 MW · Qom
Location
Coordinates 34.3742, 49.2406 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What is Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor?
Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor is a heavy-water research reactor in Markazi Province, Iran, operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
Is Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor a power plant?
No — Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor is a heavy-water research reactor and does not generate grid electricity.
Where is Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor located?
It is located near Khondab, near Arak, Markazi Province, at approximately 34.374, 49.241.
What does Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor do?
Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor is used for Heavy-water research reactor + heavy-water production.
Who operates Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor?
Arak / Khondab IR-40 Heavy-Water Reactor is operated by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).