Question : NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

(a) whether India is still dependent upon foreign countries for setting up of nuclear power plants, their operation, nuclear feed stock, etc.;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the percentage of foreign components used in the construction of nuclear power plants;

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to use indigenous technology and local components in building the nuclear power plants in the country; and

(e) the time by which the country is likely to be self-reliant in the matter of nuclear power?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a) to(e) A statement is laid on the table of the House:

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 317 FOR ANSWER ON 01.02.2010 BY SHRI KAMALESH PASWAN AND SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN REGARDING NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS.

(a) & (b) No Sir. India is not dependent on foreign countries for setting up and operation of pressurised heavy water (PHWR) type nuclear power plants.

(c) to (e) There is very limited foreign components in PHWR plants (220 MW to 700 MW capacity).

For a rapid growth in the nuclear power capacity, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is taking steps to install large size (1000 MW and higher) nuclear power plants in technical cooperation with a few foreign vendors. These plants will be in addition to the installation of several indigenous PHWR units.

India is already self reliant in PHWR technology and its fuel cycle.