Early Completion of Projects of Atomic Energy

There are 20 nuclear power reactors with an installed generating capacity of 4780 MW. Out of these, Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) unit 1 (100 MW) at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan is under extended shutdown since 2004 for techno-economic assessment. Nine operating reactors with a total capacity of 1840 MW use imported fuel and are operating at their rated capacity. The other ten reactors with a total capacity of 2840 MW use indigenous fuel, which is not available in the required quantity to operate them at their rated capacity.

Only certain Nuclear Power Projects are experiencing some unavoidable delays in the completion. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP 1&2) faced a setback during its commissioning due to local protests during September 2011 to March 2012. Public Interest Litigation was filed by groups ideologically opposed to nuclear power. Hon’ble Supreme Court gave directions in respect of verification of safety and submission of reports bydifferent agencies before operationalisation. Subsequently, commissioning works were started.

The Government and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) have enhanced public outreach manifold to allay the apprehensions and concerns of local people about safety of the project. Steps have also been taken to expedite the balance work at project sites. After successful completion of the activities and compliance of the directives of the Hon. Supreme Court, the KKNPP Unit-1 reactor was made critical in July 2013 and connected to the grid in October 2013. The unit reached its full power level of 1000 MW in June 2014 after completing the various tests and obtaining clearances from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The second Unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP)-2 (1000 MW) is presently under commissioning.

The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) being constructed at Kalpakkam is in advanced stage of construction and commissioning. sThe approved date for criticality of PFBR is in September- 2014. However, being the first-of- its kind reactor being built completely indigenously in our country, some delay on account of the requirement of rigorous testing and qualification of all major equipment and sub-systems is anticipated.

This was stated by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

ST/jk