Question : Setting up of Nuclear Plants

(a) the number of proposals for setting up of nuclear power plants finalised or accorded approval during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether the Central public sector companies are engaged in production of nuclear energy and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to permit entry of private sector in nuclear energy sector as an equipment manufacturer and reactor operator;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the estimated capacity of energy production to be met through private sector?

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

(a) During the last three years and the current year, the Government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for construction of twelve (12) nuclear power reactors - ten (10) indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode & two (02) units of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) to be set up in cooperation with Russian Federation to enhance nuclear power capacity in the country. The details of these projects are given below:

State Location Project Capacity(MW)
PHWRs to be set up in fleet mode
Madhya Pradesh Chutka Chutka -1&2 2 X 700
Karnataka Kaiga Kaiga - 5&6 2 X 700
Rajasthan Mahi Banswara Mahi Banswara - 1&2 2 X 700
Haryana Gorakhpur GHAVP - 3&4 2 X 700
Rajasthan Mahi Banswara Mahi Banswara - 3&4 2 X 700
Light Water Reactor (LWR) to be set up in cooperation with Russian Federation
Tamil Nadu Kudankulam KKNPP - 5&6 2 X 1000


(b) Yes, Sir. Presently, two public sector companies of the Department of Atomic Energy, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) are involved in nuclear power generation.

(c)&(d)There is no proposal under consideration at present, to allow private partnership in the nuclear power generation sector. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 permits Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in setting up of nuclear power plants as a junior equity partner of a Government company. At present companies in private sector in India are participating in a major way in setting up nuclear power plants through supply of components, equipments and works contracts.

(e) The total installed capacity from conventional energy sources (Excluding Renewable Energy Sources) in the country as on 28.02.2018 is 2,71,300 MW. Out of which private sector contributes about 89,540 MW. It is estimated that capacity of energy production from conventional sources likely to be added through private sector during March 2018 – March 2022 will be 3802 MW. The likely retirement of private sector plants during March 2018 – March 2022 is about 1,070 MW. Hence, the total capacity for energy production from private sector at the end of March 2022 is likely to be 92,272 MW from conventional energy sources.

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