Lok Sabha updated on nuclear energy progress
Pre-project activities has been initiated on 10 reactors sanctioned by the Government which are scheduled for progressive completion by 2031-32, Minister of State for Atomic Energy said in Lok Sabha on 20 Dec 2023.
Further, the Government has accorded in principle approvals to set up 6 x 1208 MW nuclear power plant in cooperation with the US at Kovvada in Srikakulam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Construction and commissioning of 10 reactors totalling 8,000 MW is underway in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, said the Minister, announcing steps initiated to increase nuclear power capacity from 7480 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32 from 7,480 MW as of now.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that Nuclear Power has huge potential and can provide the country long term energy security in a sustainable manner.
Expansion of nuclear power capacity will help in the country’s energy transition for meeting the goal of a net zero economy by 2070, he said.
The annual electricity generation from nuclear power plants has increased from 35,334 million units (including infirm) in 2013-14 to 46,982 million units (including infirm) in 2022-23.
The installed nuclear power capacity in 2013-14 has also increased from 4,780 MW to 7,480 MW at present, he said.
Nuclear plants have generated about 32,017 million units in the current year (up to Nov 2023), short of aspirational target of 52,340 million units for the year from the 23 installed reactors.
Dr Jitendra Singh assured that the nuclear power generation in the country continued to demonstrate excellent safety in the last 10 years.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has taken steps to ensure completion of plant shutdown of operating reactors as per schedule and early start of generation from new units and also avoiding of any unplanned shutdown to meet the target, he informed the house.
Close coordination is maintained with the State Governments during all phases of the construction and subsequent operations of the Nuclear Power Plants. Fiinews.com
