In July 2014, a target of tripling the then existing capacity of 4780 MW in the next ten years (by 2024) was set. However, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has set for itself an ambitious target of reaching an installed generation capacity of 63000 MW by the year 2031-32. A capacity of 1000 MW has already been added to the grid in December 2014 by start of commercial operation of Kudankulam Unit-1 taking the capacity to 5780 MW. The target of tripling of the capacity of 4780 MW by 2024 is expected to be met, largely on progressive completion of projects under construction and the projects accorded financial sanction.
The Government had also accorded ‘in principle’ approval of the following sites for locating nuclear power projects in future, based on both indigenous technologies and with foreign co-operation:
| Site | State | Capacity (MW) | In cooperation with |
| Indigenous Reactors | |||
| Gorakhpur, | Haryana | 4 X 700 | Indigenous |
| Chutka | Madhya Pradesh | 2 X 700 | |
| Bhimpur | 4 X 700 | ||
| Kaiga | Karnataka | 2 X 700 | |
| Mahi Banswara | Rajasthan | 4 X 700 | |
| With Foreign Cooperation | |||
| Kudankulam | Tamil Nadu | 4 X 1000 | Russian Federation |
| Jaitapur | Maharashtra | 6 X 1650 | France |
| Chhaya Mithi Virdi | Gujarat | 6 X 1000* | USA |
| Kovvada | Andhra Pradesh | 6 X 1000* | USA |
| Haripur | West Bengal | 6 X 1000 | Russian Federation |
*Nominal Capacity
Pre-project activities have been taken up at these sites.
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), a Public Sector Undertaking of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is presently constructing a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) of 500 MWe capacity at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. In addition, two Fast Breeder Reactors of 600 MW are also proposed to be constructed at Kalpakkam.
A 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) using Thorium based fuel has been designed and developed. This reactor will serve as a technology demonstrator for the Thorium fuel cycle technologies. A project for initiation of activities towards start of construction of AHWR has been included in the XII Plan.
The installed nuclear generation capacity by 2031-32 would depend on actual start of projects and their completion, which in turn would be contingent to completion of pre-project activities like land acquisition and obtaining statutory clearances and conclusion of techno-commercial discussion in respect of reactors to be set up with foreign co-operation.
This information was provided by MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes the very best.
