(a)whether the nuclear power capacity of India is expected to reach 10080 MW by the year 2018-19 and further expand to three times the present capacity by the year 2024;
(b)if so the details thereof, whether the Government proposes to introduce a legislation for establishing a Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority so as to ensure that the quality and standard of nuclear safekeeping is notcompromised; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :
(a)Yes Sir.
(b)&(c) The Government had in July 2014, announced a target of tripling the then capacity of 4780 MW in next ten years (by the year 2024).
The current installed nuclear power capacity is 5780 MW, which is expected to increase to 10080 MW on progressive completion of following projects under commissioning/construction by 2019:
Location & State Unit Capacity (MW)
Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project-2 (KKNPP 2)1000 (1000 x1)
Rawatbhata, Rajasthan Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Units 7&8 (RAPP 7 & 8)1400 (700 x 2)
Kakrapar, Gujarat Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Units 3&4 (KAPP 3 & 4)1400 (700 x 2)
Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) 500 (500 X1)
Total 4300
Existing installed nuclear power capacity 5780
Total 10080
In addition, the Government has accorded sanction for two more projects with a total capacity of 3400 MW.
Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority
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In order to give statutory strength to our national nuclear regulator - Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and to convert its functional independence into de jure independence, the proposal for setting up a Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority has been under consideration. Accordingly, Government had introduced the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill, 2011 (NSRA) in the Lok Sabha in September 2011. The Bill could not be taken up for consideration before the dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha and expired. A fresh Bill is under examination.
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