(a) whether after the consequences of disastrous incidents which occurred in atomic energy projects at Fukushima in Japan, many countries have decided to close down or has discouraged the construction of their atomic energy projects; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with names of such countries?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :
(a) No, Sir. Following the Fukushima incident, only three countries, Germany, Switzerland and Taiwan have announced plans to gradually phase out nuclear power on a long term perspective. Most countries with nuclear power programmes have continued with their programmes.
(b) In the immediate aftermath of Fukushima, Germany had announced phasing out of nuclear power by 2022. Switzerland had announced that it would not construct new units and Taiwan had announced a decision not to extend the life of the existing units. However, largely the countries with nuclear power have continued with their nuclear power programmes. Since the Fukushima incident in March 2011, 19 new reactors have been connected to the grid in various countries viz. China (11), India (1), Russia (2), Iran (1), Korea (2), Pakistan(1) and Argentina (1). Construction of 24 new units have been started post Fukushima in various countries viz. China (7), India (2), Russia (1), Belarus (2), Pakistan (2), Korea (2), Argentina(1), Unites Arab Emirates (3) and the Unites States of America (4). In the USA, where there had been no new builds for about two decades, construction on four units (Vogtle 3&4 and Summer 2&3) was started. New entrants like the United Arab Emirates have also started construction of nuclear power plants and several other like Bangladesh have plans to start construction of nuclear power plants. There are presently 69 nuclear power reactors with an aggregate capacity of 66125 MW under various stages of construction in the world.