Question : Nuclear Power Generation

(a)whether the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) has set any targets to increase nuclear power generation in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b)whether the Government has also amended Atomic Energy Act with a view to allow the NPCIL to collaborate with Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs);

(c)if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives behind this move;

(d)whether the NPCIL has requested the cash rich public sector undertakings in energy sector and the national transporter to float joint ventures for setting up nuclear power plants across the country; and

(e)if so, the details thereof and the response of the PSUs thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a)Yes, Sir. NPCIL has set a target to increase nuclear power generation capacity in the country. The present nuclear power capacity in the country is 5780 MW. The target set for the near term is 9580 MW which includes:
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Project Capacity (MW) Status
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KKNPP–2, Kudankulam,
Tamil Nadu 1 X 1000 Presently, generating infirm (non-
commercial) power. Commercial operation
expected by year end.

KAPP–3&4, Kakrapar, Gujarat 2 X 700 Under Construction, expected completion
RAPP–7&8, Rawatbhata, Rajasthan 2 X 700 by 2019
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The mid-term target aims to reach a capacity of about 13000 MW by the year 2024. This includes:
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Project Capacity (MW) Status

GHAVP-1&2, Gorakhpur, Haryana 2 X 700
KKNPP-3&4, Kudankulam, Sanction accorded and work has commenced.
Tamil Nadu 2 X 1000
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More projects based on both indigenous technologies and with foreign technical cooperation are planned in future to enhance the nuclear power capacity in the long term.

(b)Yes, Sir.

(c)The Atomic Energy Act 1962 empowers the Government to produce, develop, use and dispose of atomic energy either by itself or through any authority or Corporation established by it or a Government company. A “Government company” was earlier defined as a Company in which not less than fifty-one per cent of the paid-up share capital is held by the Central Government. The Amendment 2015 to the Atomic Energy Act has amended the definition of “Government Company’ as “Government company” means a company in which—

(i)not less than fifty-one per cent. of the paid-up share capitalis held by the Central Government; or

(ii)the whole of the paid-up share capital is held by one or more of the companies specified in sub-clause (i) and which, by its articles of association, empowers the Central Government to constitute and reconstitute its Board of Directors;’.

The amendment in the provision of the Atomic Energy Act as above will enable NPCIL to form Joint Venture companies with other Public Sector Undertakings of India to set up nuclear power projects, while allowing Central Government to exercise control over such Joint Venture companies in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act.

(d)Yes, Sir.

(e)Three Joint Venture Companies – Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (NPCIL-NTPC Ltd.), NPCIL-Indian Oil Nuclear Energy Corporation Limited (NPCIL-IOCL) and NPCIL-Nalco Power Company Limited (NPCIL- NALCO) have been incorporated. Exploratory discussions have also been held with other Public Sector companies and Indian Railways in this regard.

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