MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a) to (h) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 299 FOR ANSWER ON 14.12.2011
BY SHRI LAL CHAND KATARIA AND DR. MAHESH JOSHI REGARDING FUEL FOR ATOMIC PLANTS.
(a) & (b) The present installed capacity in the country is 4780 MW comprising twenty nuclear power reactors.
Of these, ten reactors with a capacity of 2840 MW comprising KGS 1 to 4 (4 x 220 MW), NAPS 1&2 (2 x 220 MW),
MAPS 1&2 (2 x 220 MW) and TAPS 3&4 (2 x 540 MW) are fuelled by indigenous fuel, which is not available in
the required quantity. These are accordingly being operated at lower power levels matching the fuel supply.
The remaining ten nuclear power reactors with a capacity of 1940 MW are under International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) safeguards in accordance with the separation plan. Of these, presently, one reactor (RAPS-1
100 MW) is under long shut down for techno-economic assessment on continuation of operation. The remaining
nine reactors under (IAEA) safeguards use imported fuel, which is available in required quantity. These
reactors are operating at rated capacity.
(c) The details of expenditure incurred on import of uranium are as given below:
RS in Crore
Country Year
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
France 120.54 145.54 0 0
Russia 57.92 273.78 312.50 111.84
Kazakhstan 0 0 379.84 0
(d) Yes, Sir.
(e) The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the aegis
of Department of Atomic Energy is presently operating five underground mines viz. Jaduguda,
Bhatin, Narwapahar, Turamdih and Bagjata. One opencast mine at Banduhurang and two processing
plants at Jaduguda and Turamdih, East Singhbhum Kharswan District, Jarkhand State. Also an
underground mine and process plant is under constructions at Tummalapalle, Andhara Pradesh.
The Lambapur Uranium Project, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh is under the pre-project
activities. An underground mine and process plant at Gogi, Karnataka is under pre-project
stage. Development of uranium resources at Kyelleng Pyndengsohiong Mawathabah (KPM),
Meghalaya is also under consideration. Development of Uranium resources available at
Rohil, Rajasthan is under exploration by AMD.
In Tummalapalle, the UCIL has undertaken the construction of an underground mine and plant
of 3000 tonnes per day (tpd) ore capacity which is expected to be commissioned in the year
2012. The pre-project activities for augmenting the production and processing capacity to
4500 tpd ore are in progress and expected to be commissioned in the year 2015. Further plans
have been envisaged to construct a mine and a plant of 6000 tpd ore capacity (in stages) after
successful commissioning of the ongoing project.
(f) According to reports in media, the leadership in Australia has made statements to reverse
the ban on export of uranium from Australia to India. However, no formal communication has
been received from the Government of Australia so far. There are press reports that Australia
is considering supply of Uranium to India. It is not possible, as yet, to provide the time by
which Uranium for our reactors will be available from Australia.
(g) Does not arise in view of reply to (f) above.
(h) Contracts have been signed with France, Russia and Kazakhstan for supply of Uranium.
The details of the contracts are:
# France - 300 MT of Uranium Ore Concentrates,
# Russian Federation - 2000 MT Natural Uranium Oxide Pellets spread over a period
of five to six years starting from the year 2009; and one time supply of 58 MT of
enriched Uranium Dioxide Pellets and
# Kazakhstan 2100 MT of Natural Uranium Ore Concentrate, spread over six years starting from the year 2009
