(a)whether maintenance work of Tarapur Atomic Power Plant has been stopped and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b)whether the Government has formulated any plan to modernise Tarapur Atomic Plant and other old Atomic plants with a view to reducing the cost of energy production; and
(c)if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a)No, Sir.
(b)&(c) The tariff of energy produced from Tarapur Atomic Power Station 1&2 (TAPS 1&2) is about 97 Paise per Unit of electricity. Nuclear power tariffs are characterised by a high capacity charge and low energy (fuel) charge components. They are, thus, marginally sensitive to fuel price increases and tend to reduce with time, as loans are repaid and depreciation is recovered. The tariff of electricity from old nuclear power plants is not high. However, undertaking upgrades for ensuring state of the art safety feature is a regular activity in Indian nuclear power plants. TAPS 1&2 has undergone major life extension upgrades in the year 2005-06
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